Film Analysis: "Crash" by Paul Haggis

This section of the guide focuses on the 2004 film "Crash" directed by Paul Haggis, which is an important part of the Englisch LK curriculum. The film explores themes of ethnic and cultural diversity in contemporary America.

Key components of this section include:

• A character map to help students understand the complex relationships in the film
• Analysis of ethnic and cultural diversity as portrayed in the film

Highlight: Analyzing "Crash" helps students develop their skills in film analysis, which is an important aspect of the Englisches Abitur.

The guide encourages students to consider how the film represents issues of race, prejudice, and interconnectedness in modern society. This analysis helps students prepare for questions that might ask them to discuss how film as a medium can explore complex social issues.

Example: Students might be asked to analyze how the film's structure, with its interconnected storylines, contributes to its exploration of racial tensions and misunderstandings.

This section of the guide demonstrates the diverse range of texts and media that students encounter in the Englisch Leistungskurs, answering the question "Was macht man im Leistungskurs Englisch?" by showing how the course incorporates film analysis alongside literary study.

Short Stories: "Two Kinds" and "The Child"

This section of the guide focuses on two short stories that are part of the Englisch LK curriculum: "Two Kinds" by Amy Tan and "The Child" by Julius Lester. These stories explore themes of cultural identity, growing up, and the American Dream.

"Two Kinds" by Amy Tan:

• Summary of the story
• Analysis of the protagonist Jing-Mei and her relationship with the American Dream
• Exploration of ethnic identity and the challenges of growing up between cultures

"The Child" by Julius Lester:

• Summary of the story
• Comparison with "Two Kinds" under the theme "Two Girls - One Dream?"

Highlight: These short stories provide excellent material for comparative analysis, a key skill tested in the Englisches Abitur.

The guide encourages students to consider how these stories represent different aspects of the immigrant experience and the pursuit of the American Dream. This analysis helps students develop their critical thinking and essay writing skills, which are essential for answering questions like "Was macht man im Leistungskurs Englisch?"

Example: Students might be asked to compare and contrast the protagonists' experiences in both stories, analyzing how their cultural backgrounds influence their understanding of success and identity.

Dystopian Literature and Science Fiction

This section of the guide focuses on defining and exploring key concepts related to dystopian literature and science fiction, which are crucial for understanding works like "Never Let Me Go" in the Englisch LK curriculum.

Definition: Science Fiction - A genre that concentrates on scientific/technological progress and its effects on society, often featuring elements that overcome known laws of nature or include paranormal activities.

Definition: Utopia - An ideal society characterized by equality, high standards of living, and absence of injustice, often set on an island.

Definition: Dystopia - A genre showing a pessimistic view of the future, often featuring inequality, collapsed societies, lack of privacy, and government control.

The guide explains how dystopian literature often serves as a warning to readers, portraying negative aspects of society such as extreme inequality, lack of democracy, and loss of individuality. This context is essential for analyzing dystopian works in the Englisches Abitur.

Highlight: Understanding these genres is crucial for answering questions like "Was macht man im Leistungskurs Englisch?" as literary analysis is a key component of the course.