Teaching code

4S011684

Teacher

Giorgia Proietti

Coordinator

Giorgia Proietti

Credits

6

Language

Italian

Scientific Disciplinary Sector (SSD)

L-ANT/02 - GREEK HISTORY

Period

1° semestre lezioni Trento dal Sep 16, 2024 al Dec 20, 2024.

Courses Single

Authorized

Lessons timetable Moodle Seminars 0

Learning objectives

The course aims to afford a theoretical and methodological introduction to the so called 'memory studies', a relatively recent academic area which has developed in a multi- and inter-disciplinary perspective, involving history, sociology, psychology, literature, anthropology, philosophy, culture theory. Its aim is to investigate and understand how groups remember, process, narrate, shape and transmit their past, both within ancient and contemporary societies. Particular attention is devoted to the role of collective memory and of non-historiographical media of memory in the formation of historical traditions. Students are expected to acquire a theoretical knowledge of the themes and problems concerning memory, its processes of formation and forms of expression, the awareness of its historical implications, and the ability to apply it as an interpretative tool with regard to their own research area and interests.

Prerequisites and basic notions

No prerequisites

Program

After introducing the field of memory studies in their inter- and multi-disciplinary nature, the course will focus on the relationship between memory and history, with special reference to:
- the formation of collective identity, ethnogenetic processes, identity conflicts;
- war, the commemoration of war dead, public monuments and memorials
- public history, hegemonic memory vs countermemories

The discussion over these topics will be developed through the reading of - among others - M. Foucault, R. Wenskus, F. Barth, E. Hobsbawm, T. Ranger, B. Anderson, A. Cohen, P. Burke, P. Hutton, J. e A. Assmann, J. Bodnar, W. Pohl.

A selection of readings and materials will be made available in due course through the Moodle platform.

Bibliography

Didactic methods

Frontal lessons (mainly). Discussions and in-class activities are also expected to take place (also in the flipped-classroom mode).
Students' active participation will be encouraged all throughout the course.
Partly individual programmes will be possibly arranged, in order to meet the single students' interests.
One or two guest lectures by external experts will be integral to the course.

Learning assessment procedures

Oral exam concerning the class notes and the bibliography.
Students are also expected to write an essay (max 5000 words), dealing with a topic of their choice, approached through the concepts and tools proper of memory studies.
The essay must be sent to giorgia.proietti@unitn.it at least 5 days before the date of the exam.
Note that the essay might be the starting point for a subsequent dissertation.

Evaluation criteria

Students are expected to develop an adequate theoretical knowledge of the aspects and themes regarding cultural memory, its mechanisms of formation and forms of expression, as well as an awareness of its historical implications. They are also expected to develop a methodological capacity to apply the concepts provided by memory studies as interpretative tools to their own research subjects and topics of interest.

Criteria for the composition of the final grade

Written essay + oral exam

Exam language

Italiano