Collective Memory

Catalog description

Remembering is a social as well as cognitive experience. For example, we reminisce with others, select which details we share and don’t share based on who those others are, and which portions of memories we rehearse and silence affects what we later remember. Students in this course will explore current theory and research regarding collective memory, primarily from a psychological perspective. We will explore questions raised by Boyer and Wertsch’s (2009) influential book (e.g., How do we build shared collective memories? How does memory shape history? How does memory shape culture?) and related issues (e.g., silencing of memories, borrowing others’ memories, how culture influences memory). Our study will be grounded in cognitive psychology and draw upon additional subfields (e.g., social psychology, cross-cultural psychology) and intersections with related fields (e.g., sociology, cultural studies, museum studies). Provides elective credit toward the Psychology major. ​Satisfies the Social-Scientific Thought requirement.