Civil Sentimentalism, A House Divided, and the Trump Presidency

Date/Time: to
Type: Annual lecture series, Presence
Location: Lecture Hall 11, Augustusplatz campus
Event series: Trump 2.0: Cultural Perspectives on the Current US Political Landscape

In this talk, Professor Heike Paul will discuss her groundbreaking work on civil sentimentalism ("Amerikanischer Staatsbürgersentimentalismus: Zur Lage der politischen Kultur in den USA," Wallstein, 2021). She will discuss how Donald Trump has been departing from the conventions of sentimental symbolism that used to play a central role in US politics, and explore what this departure means for the political culture of the United States.

Donald Trump claps on stage at a large indoor rally, surrounded by cheering supporters holding signs and wearing campaign gear.
President Donald Trump reacts to the crowd as he arrives onstage at his first re-election campaign rally at the BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S., June 20, 2020. Photo: Leah Millis (REUTERS)

This event is part of a series hosted by the Institute for American Studies, examining the cultural implications of Trump’s return to office.

  • The lecture will be held in English.
  • All are welcome!