19th and early 20th-century London attracted a large number of German- and Yiddish-speaking migrants and refugees. Some of them went to London to start a new and hopefully more prosperous life, others to escape political and/or religious persecution (especially after 1848, in the 1880s and in the 1930s). This seminar is based on my current research project on emmigration and exile. It will therefore give you a good opportunity to engage in hands-on research.
We shall study a wide range of texts and images. Topics such as the interaction among various groups of immigrants, assimilation and cultural / historical memory, notions of Britishness acquired and developed by immigrants, gender issues and issues of transculturality will be covered.
Texts:
As most of the relevant material is only to be found in archives and research libraries, a reader will be made available at the usual Copy-Shop (Reckhammerweg 4) from early September - please start reading as soon as possible.
There will be a final exam (Abschlußklausur). |
