PI4574: MEMORY AND POLITICS OF THE PAST (2014-2015)

Course Aims: This course examines both theoretical and empirical debates regarding the ways in which the past is mobilised in pursuit of political objectives in the present. The course initiates by studying the theoretical underpinnings of Maurice Halbwachs' concept of 'Collective Memory' - the idea that social groups share common understandings of the past which influence decision making and social structures in the present. In studying theoretical debates concerning memory, the course examines key thinkers that have built on Halbwachs' theory as well as those that reject the very notion of his concept. The early weeks of the course further look at theoretical debates concerning the differences and overlaps between 'history' and 'memory' and debates concerning the relative power of dominant and marginalised groups in memory formation. The course then applies such theoretical debates to key empirical cases where the politics of the past are contested and struggled over. Such cases include various states' official commemorations of the Holocaust; the role of historical analogy in justifying and protesting against warfare and the social and political functions of Truth and Reconciliation Commissions in post-conflict societies. After the reading week, the course continues by analysing the significance of commemoration rituals in British politics and the increasingly common phenomenon of 'atrocity tourism'. The course concludes by analysing the role of Empire in memory politics. It does so by focusing on the conflicting politics of memory regarding British colonialism in Ireland and the increasing imperative of former colonial powers to offer apologies for aspects of their past Empire. At each stage of the course, the political and ideological consequences of competing historical narratives are considered. Main Learning Outcomes: Key debates and issues related to the concept of 'Collective Memory'. The ways in which politicians and states employ the past in pursuit of particular objectives The ways in which certain groups challenge and disrupt 'official' narratives of the past The nuances and political implications of key empirical cases where perceptions of the past are highly contested. Undertake critical analysis regarding the political significance of competing narratives of the past Critically assess the overlap and distinctions between such concepts as 'history', 'historiography' and 'memory'. Critically apply theoretical debates regarding memory studies to relevant empirical case studies Develop the ability to form their own judgement regarding contentious questions of how the past is employed for political objectives in the present. Content: Debates in collective memory: Hegemonic and counter memory. Memory and the Holocaust part I: Sites of memory in the US and Israel Memory and the Holocaust part II: The German Historikerstreit (Historians' Debate) and those who deny the Holocaust War and historical analogy: From Vietnam to the 'War on Terror' Truth and Reconciliation Commissions in post-conflict societies Commemoration in British politics Selling atrocity: Atrocity tourism and the atrocity industry Britain in Ireland: Conflicting memories in 'The Troubles' through to the Peace Process Memory and European Empire: The question of political apologies The emergence of cosmopolitan memory

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

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1st Attempt: One essay of 3000 words (30%) and one 2-hour written exam (70%). Resit: One 2-hour exam (100%). Only the marks gained at first attempt can be used for Honours classification.

Through tutorials, feedback on essay plans and feedback on non-assessed class presentations.

Written feedback and marks for essays. In addition, feedback on essay preparation conducted via office hours.

None.