Reinventions of the Past: History and Memory in Germany and Japan

Catalog description

Examines the history of how individuals and groups transform, delete, or create memories of the past. The focus is on Germany and Japan, global economic and political powers and producers of cultural trends. We study how the nation has been defined and reinvented, then look at museums that offer narratives about cultural memory, as well as at the development of iconic national figures. We examine how these broad processes have affected everyday life, such as food habits, fashion, and environmental awareness. We also look at comparable phenomena in the US and elsewhere. By the end of the course, we will be familiar with historical disruptions and embrace the fact that disruption is the dominant condition of our current lives.