420002 SE "aus-ein-an-der-setzen" (2024S)

In this seminar, participants will deal with the debates on memory cultures that have been intensively conducted in the German-speaking world since the so-called "Mbembe" debate in spring 2020.
The main questions are: What forms of cultures of remembrance exist? Whose memory counts in public discourse? Whose memory remains largely invisible and why? How can academic projects help to fill these gaps?
A large number of actors - academics, journalists, activists - are involved in various media channels, which is why it has become difficult to maintain an overview. However, several publications have already appeared in book format that attempt to categorize and continue the debates.
The monographs and edited volumes listed in the bibliography therefore serve as a starting point for our analytical discussion in the seminar.

Based on the reading of parts of these works and their joint discussion in the units, the participants are asked to write academic essays of 10-15 pages. In these essays, they will take a closer look at a specific question and draw on relevant literature they have researched themselves. Alternatively, it is also possible to write a detailed comparative review of at least two or more works.
The essays can take on different disciplinary perspectives; linguistic and literary studies questions are just as conceivable as historical or cultural studies approaches. The essays can be written in German, English or French. Oral presentations in the course in German or English.
The entire research, reading and writing process is accompanied by systematic reflection and continuous exchange regarding one's own positioning.