Common historical memory has been and undoubtedly continues to be one of the most important foundations of collective identity. The "product" of the contemporary study of history has largely been identity formation and legitimization of the prevalent power and formation of ownership relations; the legitimization of political demands has certainly played a dominant role in particular instances.
For instance, Jorn Rusen has called historiography one part of the integration achievement of historical consciousness that unites experiences of time and time tracks into a concept of an enduring "I" or a "We" composed of people who have bonded socially and politically together.The rise of professional historiography in the 19th century was closely connected with the rise of modern nationalism. The historical narrative became a necessary component in the creation of national identity, and allows one both to find inspirational role models, as well as, highlight famous "triumphs", while at the same time leaving unpleasant episodes in the nation's history in obscurity.
Frankly, history including historiography can be interpreted as a collective means of remembrance or commemoration. Whereas the 19th century was the "people's century," the 21st promises to be the "globalization century". Now we could raise the question of to what extent history - being a relatively nation-centred discipline - has been able to adapt to the ideas of multiculturalism and globalization. Is "friendly coexistence" even conceivable? Have narratives, which provide a nation's history with some coherence, outlived their usefulness?
Period
25-07-2011 - 29-07-2011 (1 weeks)
Target group
MA and PhD students majoring in history
Course aim
Course aims to analyze problems in nationalist historiography, and likewise, issues and new challenges related to national cultural memory.
Credits
2.0 ECTS credits
Course fee
EUR 250[Convert to USD]Without accommodation and cultural programme
Course leader
-
Scholarships
-
Tallinn University
Address: Uus-Sadama 5
Postal code: 10120
City: Tallinn
Country: Estonia
Website: http://summerschool.tlu.ee/
E-mail: birgitk@tlu.ee
Phone: 372 6199599
European History Summer School: Competing Histories, Competing Identities. National Identities and Historical Narratives: Challenges in the Early Twenty-First Century
