Course Details in 2026/27 Session

Module Title	LH The Politics of Memory
School	Government
Department	Political Sci & Intern'tl Stud
Module Code	08 40165
Module Lead	Julian Hoerner and Yi Wang
Level	Honours Level
Credits	20
Semester	Semester 1
Pre-requisites
Co-requisites
Restrictions	None
Contact Hours	Lecture-20 hours Seminar-10 hours Guided independent study-170 hours Total: 200 hours
Exclusions
Description	Memory and remembrance of the past play an increasingly important role in politics and international relations. Political actors routinely appeal to a nation's past to foster their causes and to legitimize a particular political order. At the same time, how and what to remember is fiercely contested between groups. Contestation over (perceived) past injustices is at the core of many interstate and ethnic conflicts. Finally, patterns and legacies of the past often persist in political attitudes and behaviours, often unbeknownst to those involved. This specialist module explores how historical memory and legacies play a role in shaping and explaining contemporary political phenomena, touching upon timely topics such as the rise of the far-right, racial justice and the legacy of colonialism, the challenge of remembering different pasts in increasingly diverse societies, and the historical roots of long-lasting conflicts. With a primary geographic focus on Europe and East Asia, the module combines both qualitative and quantitative approaches to the study of memory and draws on materials from a variety of disciplines including political science, IR, history, the humanities, and memory studies.
Learning Outcomes	By the end of the module students should be able to: Critically evaluate different methodological approaches to how the past continues to influence contemporary politics and international relations Analyse how political actors use historical memory and the reasons for continuing contestation on remembrance Critically evaluate of different approaches to present controversial topics of the past in different (civic) educational contexts
Assessment
Assessment Methods & Exceptions	Assessment: 1000 words (25%) written assignment 2500 words written assignment (75%) Reassessment: By failed component
Other
Reading List