Americana: Myth and Representation
The ancient myths of Greek, Roman, and Nordic cultures tend towards the epic, the heroic, the extraordinary. Yet myths – big or small, wondrous or mundane, ancient or modern – are simply a form of discourse that projects a culture’s beliefs and ideals. Myths give meaning to the surrounding world and convey a sense of cultural unity. American myths – the Wild West, Hollywood, individualism, Detroit muscle cars, the dollar, the founding fathers and the Constitution, WASP values, junk food, the “land of opportunity”, Blues, jazz and rock n’ roll – and their various representations in popular culture will be the focus of this class.*
Course content
Support materials will include film extracts (Pulp Fiction, Thelma and Louise, Back to the Future, The Virgin Suicides, The Color Purple, The Iron Horse, Little Big Man, etc.), images (New Yorker, Time, archival photos, comics and cartoons, etc.), literary and journalistic excerpts (M. Twain, E. Hemingway, J.D. Salinger, Ayn Rand, etc.). These “texts” will serve as springboards to class discussions and activities.
Course objectives
- To practice oral/written comprehension, and to develop speaking and writing fluency.
- To engage in critical readings of cultural texts and artifacts using (loosely) some of the tools of literary criticism.
- To gain an understanding of the means and stakes of representing cultural and/or national heritage.
- To develop appropriate vocabulary in accordance with these objectives.
- To go beyond (or at least nuance) American cultural clichés.
Teaching methods
The course will be taught in the manner of an American university seminar with primary emphasis placed on active participation by class members: regular presence, preparation, and hearty involvement in debates and discussions are mandatory.
Evaluation
Grades will be based on participation, oral assignments (i.e. leading the class in a discussion, presentation or debate) and a small handful of written assignments.
* We will NOT discuss Donald Trump in any way, shape or form.
- Profesor: Cannon Dwayne
- Profesor: Robinson Fabienne