Memory and Culture

Objectives:  

This course aims to stimulate a critical reflection about the relationship between memory and culture. In addition to providing an overview over the most important theoretical approaches to the cultural dimensions of collective and individual memory, it promotes the problematization of the relation between past and present through the analysis of various cultural artefacts (cinema, texts, images, monuments, and websites, among others). Special emphasis will be given to the problematization of memory as modality of our relationship with the past, the role of cultural artefacts as memory media, and the ethical and political implications of memory in the present and future.  

Competences:

At the end of the semester, students should be able to:  

▪ characterize different definitions of the cultural dimensions of collective and individual memory  

▪ critically analyse the role and potentialities of cultural artefacts in the context of cultural processes of memory

▪ problematise the relation between memory and culture particularly regarding questions about (i) individual and collective memory, (ii) trauma, and (iii) individual and collective responsibility

▪ reflect critically about the role of memory in contemporary society based on the analysis of specific cultural artefacts. 

Course content:

▪ Introduction to different theoretical approaches to the cultural dimensions of memory: (i) introduction to central concepts, (ii) overview over Memory Studies as discipline

▪ Problematization of the relationship between memory and culture

1. Memory and identity I: nation/nationalism

2. Individual memory and culture

3. Memory and trauma

4. Memory and mediatization

5. Memory and identity II: eurocentrism, post-colonialism and transcultural movements

6. Memory and responsibility 

Methodology

The classes combine reading and discussion of theoretical texts with the analysis of cultural artefacts/objects. Students will have the opportunity to participate actively in the discussion of texts and the analysis of artefacts/objects. They will have the opportunity to work in group and present their results in class.    

Evaluation  

Evaluation is continuous and includes the following components, with respective weightings: 

Participation in class 20%

Oral presentation of a review of a cultural artifact/object of choice (individual or in group) 20%

Review of a cultural artifact/object (written text) 20%

Final written test 40%