Welcome to this class!
In this class, we will discuss who “We, the People” could be, especially in times of (perceived) threat or uncertainty. Under such circumstances, in many nations, regions, or other groups of people, the question of who belongs — and who doesn’t — is highly discussed or becomes meaningful in different ways. In Germany, for example, one might discuss who is included in exclamations of “Wir sind das Volk!” or other references to a “we” that, by implication, distinguishes itself from a “them,” an “other.” In the USA, “We, the People” is the beginning of the Preamble to the Constitution (1789), but who is the “we” here? For example the late US political scientist Samuel Huntington asked in his 2004 publication Who Are We? And, we might ask, who (gets to) decide(s)? Journalist Jeff Chang, for example, adds a different perspective in his book Who We Be. The Colorization of America (2014). And how do convictions, language, and/or power come into play when a potential “we” (or “them”) is constructed or discussed?
In this class, the “we” alluded to above includes everyone who is ready to engage with/discuss these questions. We will particularly focus on the 20th and 21st century, and we will discuss a variety of examples of texts and other media/cultural products from North America, but also take a glimpse at other Anglophone parts of the world like Great Britain and South Africa. If you are planning to be a teacher: Some of our material may also be used in school [early childhood to tertiary education].
If you would like to get a head start with your readings: In this class, we will discuss the following books, available e.g. from our university’s library, local bookstores like Heinrich Heine Buchhandlung at Viehofer Platz, or your preferred bookstore:
Atwood, Margaret. The Handmaid’s Tale.
Beatty, Paul. The Sellout.
Lewis, Sinclair. It Can’t Happen Here.
Urrea, Luis Alberto. Into the Beautiful North.
Other material that we may use for our discussion, including the following examples (intended to give you an idea of what we might focus on), will be made available for you:
Borden, Louise. America Is. [Children’s Book]
Catrow, David. We the Kids. [Children’s Book]
Chang, Jeff. from Who We Be. The Colorization of America.
Eggers, Dave. from The Circle.
Gordimer, Nadine. “Once Upon a Time.”
Haddix, Margaret Peterson. “My People.” [Teen/Young Adult Short Story]
Huntington, Samuel. from Who Are We? The Challenges to America's National Identity./America’s Great Debate.
Kimmel, Michael. from Angry White Men.
Mahdawi, Arwa. “A Personal Guide to Extreme Vetting: How to Distinguish an Acceptable Arab from a Terrorist in 6 Easy Steps.”
Robertson, David A., and Julie Flett. When We Were Alone. [Children’s Book]
Russel Hochschild, Arlie. from Strangers in their Own Land.
Wildt, Michael. from Volk, Volksgemeinschaft, AfD.
On our moodle page, you may find a schedule and further information from sometime early October onwards.
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