L.008.32975 Society and the Pitfalls of Economy

Lehrende: Prof. Dr. Christoph Ehland

Veranstaltungsart: Seminar

Orga-Einheit: Anglistik/Amerikanistik

Anzeige im Stundenplan:

Semesterwochenstunden: 2

Unterrichtssprache: Englisch

Min. | Max. Teilnehmerzahl: - | 40

Voraussetzungen und Empfehlungen:
Introduction to Cultural Studies

Literatur:
Reading material will be made available in an eSeminarapparat.

Kommentar:
When in the summer of 1720 the speculation bubble of the English South Sea Company burst, Britain experienced its first major stock market crisis which affected not only shareholders but also the economy at large. This historical event shows striking similarities to the events in 2008 when the American investment bank Lehman Brothers folded up and the whole global economy plunged into crisis. Without any doubt the 21st century has had its fair share of the pitfalls of modern economic life but the problem zones through which it ventures are not unprecedented.

This seminar aims to investigate the historical precursors of the current crisis and look for the lessons that can be or could have been learned from them. From the Darien Project in the 1690s to the so-called South Sea Bubble of the 1720s the discussion will address the historical dimension of economic affairs as well as the general patterns of collective psychology and behaviour in the markets. With regard to this the analysis of historical events will include reflection upon "the vice of speculation" and look at the cultural reactions to the experience of crisis in the media.

Wichtige Hinweise:
Blockseminar

Kick-off 10.04. 18-20h
Block 1: 23.05, 9-14h
Block 2: 06.06. 9-14h
Block 3: 13.06. 9-18h (Präsentationen)