Course catalog

32402

Visions of 'America' on Display: Nation, Empire, and Visual Culture at 19th- Century US 'Worlds Fairs'

Marlene Ritter

Comments

This seminar explores the political and cultural significance of industrial and so-called ‘world’s fairs’ held in the United States between 1853 and 1904. Then celebrated as showcases of progress and innovation, these exhibitions were also powerful stages for visions of ‘America’ – visions shaped by contested ideas about nationhood, race, gender, empire, and modernity. In this course, we examine these industrial and ‘world’s fairs’ as arenas for “politics by other means” (Jones 2017, p. 43). Yet, grounded in the historiography of 19th century North America, we also look at these exhibitions as manifestations of some of the major political developments at the time: the tensions between republican ideals and imperial ambitions, North and South, white supremacy and abolition, and the role of Indigenous peoples and non-European cultures in the national story. This seminar introduces advanced BA students to a broad selection of sources and readings, including key concepts developed in Visual History. Through the lens of 19th century exhibitions, students will therefore deepen their historical knowledge, hone their analytical and writing skills, and extend their toolbox as historians. Furthermore, the course includes a field trip to Museum Treptow and its exhibition on the 1896 colonial exhibition at Treptower Park. close

16 Class schedule

Regular appointments

Wed, 14:00 - 16:00 16 Class schedule

Wed, 2025-10-15 14:00 - 16:00

Location:
203 Seminarraum (Lansstr. 7 / 9)

Wed, 2025-10-22 14:00 - 16:00

Location:
203 Seminarraum (Lansstr. 7 / 9)

Wed, 2025-10-29 14:00 - 16:00

Location:
203 Seminarraum (Lansstr. 7 / 9)

Wed, 2025-11-05 14:00 - 16:00

Location:
203 Seminarraum (Lansstr. 7 / 9)

Wed, 2025-11-12 14:00 - 16:00

Location:
203 Seminarraum (Lansstr. 7 / 9)

Wed, 2025-11-19 14:00 - 16:00

Location:
203 Seminarraum (Lansstr. 7 / 9)

Wed, 2025-11-26 14:00 - 16:00

Location:
203 Seminarraum (Lansstr. 7 / 9)

Wed, 2025-12-03 14:00 - 16:00

Location:
203 Seminarraum (Lansstr. 7 / 9)

Wed, 2025-12-10 14:00 - 16:00

Location:
203 Seminarraum (Lansstr. 7 / 9)

Wed, 2025-12-17 14:00 - 16:00

Location:
203 Seminarraum (Lansstr. 7 / 9)

Wed, 2026-01-07 14:00 - 16:00

Location:
203 Seminarraum (Lansstr. 7 / 9)

Wed, 2026-01-14 14:00 - 16:00

Location:
203 Seminarraum (Lansstr. 7 / 9)

Wed, 2026-01-21 14:00 - 16:00

Location:
203 Seminarraum (Lansstr. 7 / 9)

Wed, 2026-01-28 14:00 - 16:00

Location:
203 Seminarraum (Lansstr. 7 / 9)

Wed, 2026-02-04 14:00 - 16:00

Location:
203 Seminarraum (Lansstr. 7 / 9)

Wed, 2026-02-11 14:00 - 16:00

Location:
203 Seminarraum (Lansstr. 7 / 9)

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Location: 203 Seminarraum (Lansstr. 7 / 9)

Schedule: Mi 14:00-16:00

Class starts on: 2025-10-15

Course language: English

Contact hours: 2

Number of participants: 15

Limited attendance: Yes

Attendance required: Yes

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