This course examines the TV series Mad Men, set in the 1960s New York advertising scene. It explores character development and key themes such as the American Dream, trauma, identity, and gender, alongside related literary works. Through close reading and discussion, students will analyze how the characters navigate personal struggles and societal pressures in mid-20th-century America.
Course objectives: In this course, you will..
• Identify and explain major themes such as gender, identity, trauma and the historical contexts of 20th-century America, as well as the use of symbolism in Mad Men and related literary works.
• Discuss and evaluate the portrayal of female and male characters in Mad Men, and analyze how these portrayals reflect gender roles and women’s experiences in the 1960s.
• Compare and reflect on the concept of the American Dream as depicted in Mad Men and in contemporary society.
• Develop a thesis and compose a critical essay that examines a character from Mad Men in relation to one of the assigned short stories or the novel, using comparison, contrast, and textual analysis.
Course objectives: In this course, you will..
• Identify and explain major themes such as gender, identity, trauma and the historical contexts of 20th-century America, as well as the use of symbolism in Mad Men and related literary works.
• Discuss and evaluate the portrayal of female and male characters in Mad Men, and analyze how these portrayals reflect gender roles and women’s experiences in the 1960s.
• Compare and reflect on the concept of the American Dream as depicted in Mad Men and in contemporary society.
• Develop a thesis and compose a critical essay that examines a character from Mad Men in relation to one of the assigned short stories or the novel, using comparison, contrast, and textual analysis.
- Dozent*in: Richard Powers
- Dozent*in: Verena Stegmayer