Does it need any reason for teatime? (English OT - the first chapter)

[Mister Brightside]

How do you mean that? o.Ô

Hm, maybe because of the civil war. That wasn't a fight for oil, money or power but for human rights like freedom in first case. I don't have in mind the things that stands behind this motivations.

...

Well, American history is kind of short, because the USA are pretty young. That's why I said you wouldn't have to remember too many things. It was not an incredibly funny joke though, I know.

To declare the civil war generally as a fight for human rights is somehow strange, because it was not all about that. In the first case, I guess, it was all about might... In my opinion it was a struggle for influence on the new states joining the USA in the wild west. It was not merely about slaving, but making all new states slave-free was an open declaration of northern supremacy. That was something the southern states could not tolerate.

Concernig my statement I have to say, that one may have a lot to memorize in american history just because it is a young history. In American history we know more details than in f.e. Phrygian history. You may have to know which division was led by who on what day of what battle in the civil war. Although I find history passionate and exciting it was at that point I quitted the course completely. There is nothing more boring than abstract categorisation.

Last thing to note: if you don't share my opinion on the afore mentioned points let's have an argument about it. I guess people wouldn't want us to discuss here, but we could open an english 'anglo-historic thread'.
Guess I'm dreaming again...

[Gonzo]

In my opinion it was a struggle for influence on the new states joining the USA in the wild west. It was not merely about slaving, but making all new states slave-free was an open declaration of northern supremacy. That was something the southern states could not tolerate.

...

And because ot that it was a war for human rights. Making the southern states slave-free, that's fighting for freedom.

You're right, the American history is pretty young compared to our european. So their history is shorter then many other.

Last thing to note: if you don't share my opinion on the afore mentioned points let's have an argument about it. I guess people wouldn't want us to discuss here, but we could open an english 'anglo-historic thread'.
Guess I'm dreaming again...

...

Hm, i guess my english-skills aren't good enough to argue at a high level. T_T

[Wonderwanda]

Literature. At least the literature-courses are the only ones I really enjoy participating in. It's not as hella boring as linguistics and -well- history isn't my thing. If it's yours, choose that one.

But, just so you know, literature-courses aren't all about reading hundreds of pages everyday. You don't necessarily read more than in any other course because you learn a lot about the theory (interpretation, historical background, genres...) -- the "Einführungskurse" with their tutorials are much more strenuous.

I chose "English Linguistics", "Introduction to American/English Literature" and "Introduction to English drama" for my studies. The first two are Einführungskurse (and I have an Einführungskurs for German studies as well, "Neuere Literaturwissenschaft") and they really take my time. The last one is a Proseminar I and I really enjoy it. Laziness prevails!