220201 Why history matters (GST+S) (SoSe 2025)

The course offers an introduction to the question of how and why history matters in contemporary societies. It takes place in a block seminar format at the beginning of the semester.

In the twenty-first century, history appears as fragile as ever. On the one hand, the growing appeal of political authoritarianism across European space bears hostility to critical historical thinking. On the other hand, as impending climate catastrophes and ecological threats demand societies to prepare for the future, concerns for the past seem to diminish proportionally.

Against the backdrop of these tendencies, the course explores the various ways in which history nevertheless matters in the third decade of the twenty-first century. The scope of the course covers both public understandings of history and the academic discipline of history.

The readings assigned for each day will be available on Moodle. Below you can find a brief outline of the course.

Day 1 (April 11) What is history and how it is more than the past
The introductory session discusses various definitions of history and the essential difference between the past (things that happened) and history (the meaningful construct that connects the past with the present and the future). The discussions of the first day provide the basis for the subsequent sessions of the course that delve into the question of how and why history matters in contemporary societies.

Day 2 (April 12) How history matters for contemporary societies, Part I – Memory, heritage, historical injustice
The session explores societal engagements with history in memory practices, in heritage practices, and in practices aimed at repairing historical injustice.

Day 3 (April 29) How history matters for contemporary societies, Part II – History in media and historical re-enactment
The session covers societal engagements with history in literature, film and television, gaming, and historical (digital) re-enactments.

Day 4 (May 17) The societal role of historiography
Against the backdrop of the many ways in which history matters to contemporary societies, the session is devoted to discussing the societal role of the discipline of history – then and now.

The course syllabus and the course readings will be available on Moodle.