Registration ends 07.4.2026 at 23:59 h

In this seminar, we will examine key classical texts on the theory of memory and discuss current texts as well as case studies on issues of collective and cultural memory. The seminar will thus contain reading, analysis, and discussion of academic literature, group work and excursions to memorial sites and places of remembrance.
The seminar design follows a special method: we will alternate between sessions devoted to reading and discussing texts according to a familiar pattern and sessions devoted to discussing a case study (the ‘teaching with cases’ method). The case-based seminar discussion differs from conventional seminars and especially lectures in that most of the speaking time is allocated to the students who are discussing a ‘case’ (based on a 1-2 page written description of a problem). In doing so, you will contribute your specific individual experiences and your understanding of the relevant literature to the seminar. The example cases show that there is no clearly ‘correct’ solution; you will see that you and the other participants may have extremely different assessments of the situations described.
In addition, some sessions will be replaced by excursions to museums and memorial sites.

The seminar fulfils several functions: Firstly, it explores the concepts of cultural and collective memory from a theoretical perspective. Secondly, it relates these theoretical perspectives to fields of current, ongoing research on the ethics of transcultural memory, and current case studies.
Thirdly, the course offers the opportunity to develop and discuss a term paper (final essay) on one of the seminar's main topics under intensive supervision.

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