Cynthia Porter (Ohio State University)
Birgit Tautz (Bowdoin College)
Media representations of cross-, inter-, and intracultural dialogue and exchange reveal many aspects related to public and private life in an ever-increasing interconnected world. In so doing, they disclose widespread conceptions as they relate globally and locally and relay social fears and aspirations. Critical engagement with these depictions thus welcomes the chance to become more attuned to the art of understanding how deeper structures of these relationships function bidirectionally as well as situated firmly in one instance.
Presentations in this panel consider how North American history, and culture are depicted in popular media in the German-speaking lands. Panelists will present their work as it might consider any of the following areas of emphasis (additional areas that concern cultural representation of North America are also welcome):
· North American history, culture, and/or identity as hero/villain
· References and/or depictions of the Civil War
· North American language and dialects in popular media
· Adaptations of texts written by North American authors
· Biopics of historical figures in North American contexts
· Politics of creating media depicting North American history and culture for German-speaking audiences
· Examples of North American historical events referenced in popular media in the German-speaking lands
· Parody
· Issues of gender, sexual expression, and social policing
· Social justice in a North American context
· Reworkings of what the quintessential “North American” looks like in German-language media