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History in the World: Theory, Practice, Controversy

Statue of slave trader Sir Edward Colston, Bristol, UK, toppled by protestors 7 June 2020
Statue of slave trader Sir Edward Colston, Bristol, UK, toppled by protestors 7 June 2020

This graduate course for Masters and PhD students will introduce those enrolled to a number of critical issues in the current theory and practice of history as these intersect with changing present day values and world events. It is not a course on methods and approaches, nor on the philosophy of history per se. Rather the intent is to discuss some past and current key thinkers on historiographic matters over the past century, and current issues both within and outside the academic profession. We will endeavour to combine theory with practice by choosing cases where positions taken with respect to the past have had a significant impact in the public sphere. Topics will include how we use the past to make sense of the present (and vice-versa); who 鈥渙wns鈥 the past; repatriation of objects to previously colonized nations; statue and memorial controversies; how businesses use the past as a tool; the ethical responsibilities of the historian; the question of moral judgment in history; recent debates over 鈥減resentism鈥; the relationship between history and memory; and the impact on historical writing of postmodernism and postcolonialism. Students are advised in advance that this course and its readings will touch on some controversial and sensitive topics such as Holocaust denial; political persecution; war crimes; genocide and ethnic cleansing; cultural appropriation; and debates over reparations and reconciliation. 

Department of History, 成人大片 University

49 Bader Lane, Watson Hall 212
Kingston ON K7L 3N6
Canada

Phone

Please note that the Department of History phone line is not monitored at all times. Please leave a voicemail or email hist.undergrad@queensu.ca and we will contact you as soon as we can.

Undergraduate

Graduate

成人大片 is situated on traditional Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabe territory.