HI-137 Uses and abuses of History

The course is connected to the following study programs

• Bachelor's Programme in History
• History, One-year Programme

Teaching language

English

Course contents

The course introduces the students to (a) the relationship between history as an academic discipline and the use of history, (b) the use of history in politics, nation building and identity formation, and (c) various types of history use, as for example in education, commercialization and entertainment, in art and religion. The students will learn to analyse and discuss the use of history both within and outside educational institutions and museums, and in a broader social context.

Students also get to know theories relevant to the study of history use, as for example theories related to the formation of national and cultural identity, the phenomena of “imagined communities” and “invented traditions”, as well as theories of communication and media.

Learning outcomes

After the completion of the course, the students shall

Knowledge

• have insight into how history has been and still is used to build national, regional and local identities, to achieve political goals, and to shape values and norms

• have knowledge of key academic debates related to history use, not only in and around conflicts and wars, but also as part of post-conflict societies

• be able to deepen into various aspects of the relationship between historical research and historical (scientific) debates on the one hand, and history use in schools, media, memory cultures and popular culture on the other

Skills

• have insight into the differences between history as an academic discipline, the use of history, memory, and the construction of historical myths

• be able to analyse various types of historical cases, which demonstrate how mass media, schools, cultural and educational institutions, political parties and a variety of other actors consciously or unconsciously use and influence our perception of the past

• master the central subject of the field and reflect on different types of memory processes based on concepts such as “historical consciousness”, “history use”, “memory” and “memory politics”

• be able to master the form of scientific paper

General competence

• have insight into the role and significance of history use in modern societies and in peoplesˊ daily lives

• be able to participate in discussions and debates about history use in politics, social interaction and public life

• apply theoretical knowledge for the cases of school, the museum, the mass media etc.

• be able to understand and apply the basics for contributing to the scholarly debate by means of discussions and paper writing. In the case of the latter, they will apply the most relevant skills of completing an academic paper that entails an argument, use of literature, correct citations and a bibliography

Examination requirements

Within a given deadline an outline (1-2 pages) for the term paper must be submitted and approved. Further information will be posted on Canvas when the semester starts.

Teaching methods

Lectures, seminars, and self-study. Further information will be given in Canvas. Expected workload: 270 h.

Evaluation

The person responsible for the course decides, in cooperation with student representative, the form of student evaluation and whether the course is to have a midway or end of course evaluation in accordance with the quality system for education, chapter 4.1

Assessment methods and criteria

1. Final paper (total of 3500 words +/-10 percent, not counting the footnotes/in-text citations and bibliography); final paper is written individually. Counts 70 % toward final grade.

2. One two hours individual written examination. Counts 30 % toward final grade.

The student must pass both final exams. Graded assessment.

Reduction of Credits

This course’s contents overlap with the following courses. A reduction of credits will occur if one of these courses is taken in addition:

Course	Reduction of Credits
HI-225 – Uses and abuses of History	10