(AKAD32) Mark Twain's “Life on the Mississippi” as a Foundation for Discussion and Creative Writing

Mark Twain is generally considered to be one of America's greatest writers and humorists, and his works of note include both fiction and nonfiction.  In this course, participants will read and discuss Twain's 1883 memoir Life on the Mississippi, in which he describes, in his typical vivid and comedic fashion, his apprenticeship and life as a “steamboatman” on the Mississippi River before the US Civil War.

Discussions will focus on American history and culture as revealed here by the author.  Participants will also be encouraged to identify points of comparison and contrast from this text with their own history and past/present culture.

In addition, the reading will serve as an inspiration for short written texts.  In Life on the Mississippi, Twain employs various narrative genres/styles (travelogue, autobiography, coming of age story, tall tale, humorous anecdote, etc.), and participants will use these as models for their own original writing.  Our first creative writing exercises will be very short and structured to ensure that everyone can participate comfortably, and we will develop subsequent exercises according to participants' abilities and interests.

Reading, discussion, and writing will be in English.
 

Dozentin:             Elizabeth Standal

Termine:              montags, 07.04. – 07.07.2025

Zeit:                    14:00 (s.t.) bis 15:30 Uhr

Veranstaltungsart:  hybrid, in Präsenz (Akademie, Raum B 0770) oder wahlweise Online-Teilnahme 

Hinweis:  Teilnehmerbegrenzung: 50 Personen in Präsenz