{The course under this code is intended for MA level students. If a course is shared, BA students may register for the bachelor’s version of the course, identified by a course code beginning with “YB".}
The course presents the essential paradigms of collective memory research. Besides French and
German authors that extensively influenced the discourse of collective memory, such as Maurice Halbwachs,
Pierre Nora, Jan Assmann and others, the representatives of more Euro-Atlantic school
of thinking are also presented (e. g. Jeffrey C. Alexander). The seminar further presents these
concepts in particular instances and exposes various research agendas of collective memory studies. The main
purpose of the seminar is to familiarize students with various possible approaches to collective memory and
through concrete examples highlight the topical relevance of collective memory research in today’s social
sciences. Students finish the course by writing a paper on the field of collective
memory, employing, as much as possible, data and sources from their MA thesis research, i.e. analyzing them specifically
through the approaches to collective memory presented throughout the course.
Last update: Coman Adam, Ph.D. (22.03.2022)
Literature
Obligatory:
Olick, Jeffrey K., Vinitzky-Seroussi, Vered, Levy, Daniel (eds.). The collective memory reader. Oxford ; New York: Oxford University Press, 2011, 497 s. ISBN 978-0-19-533741-9.
Recommended:
Alexander, Jeffrey C. Eyerman, Ron, Giesen, Bernhard, Smelser, Neil J., Sztompka, Piotr. Cultural trauma and collective identity. Berkeley: University of California Press, 2004, 314 s. ISBN 0-520-23595-9.
Connerton, Paul. How modernity forgets. Cambridge ; New York ; Melbourne: Cambridge University Press, 2009, 149 s. ISBN 978-0-521-74580-2.
Halbwachs, Maurice. On collective memory. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1992, 244 s. ISBN 0-226-11594-1.
Kopeček, Michal. Past in the making : recent history revisions and historical revisionism in Central Europe after 1989. Budapest ; New York: Central European University Press, 2007, 264 s. ISBN 1-003-72124-9.
Ricoeur, Paul. Time and Narrative. Vol. 1. Trans. by K. McLaughlin, D. Pellauer. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1984, 274 s. ISBN .
Zerubavel, Eviatar. Time maps : collective memory and the social shape of the past. Chicago ; London: University of Chicago Press, 2004, 180 s. ISBN 0-226-98152-5.
Last update: Baláž Picková Monika, Mgr. (26.02.2026)
Syllabus - Czech
Lessons:
1. Introduction
2. Halbwachs, The Collective Memory, pp. 44-49 and 78-88
3. Pierre Nora - Between memory and history
4. Jeffery C. Alexander: "On the social construction of moral universals", pp. 196-221, in: Cultural Trauma and collective identity
5. Collective memory and nationalism: Hobasbawm – "Inventing traditions", in: the invention of tradition
6. Politics of memory: Bernhard, M. and Kubik J. “The Politics and Culture of Memory Regimes”, in: Twenty Years after Communism
7. Ostalgie: Berdahl - Ostalgie
8. Assmann - Collective memory and cultural identity
9. Zerubavel – time maps, introduction
10. Technology and memory: Hutton, Cultural Memory: From the Threshold of Literacy to the Digital Age
11. Media and memory
12. Conclusion
Attendance and participation obligatory.
Use of AI is strictly prohibited.
Last update: Baláž Picková Monika, Mgr. (27.02.2026)
Learning outcomes - Czech
Student:
Is familiar with the basic approaches of social sciences to the analysis of the past and collective memory, especially from the perspective of sociocultural anthropology and sociology.
Can analyze the ways in which the past is constructed, presented, and used in society in various public, cultural, and media contexts.
Can apply theoretical approaches to empirical cases of memory, including public space, museums, theater, and film, and reflect on current research on collective memory.
Last update: Baláž Picková Monika, Mgr. (26.02.2026)
