Memory Studies: An Interdisciplinary Field (PGT) HIST5205

  • Academic Session: 2025-26
  • School: School of Humanities
  • Credits: 20
  • Level: Level 5 (SCQF level 11)
  • Typically Offered: Either Semester 1 or Semester 2
  • Available to Visiting Students: Yes
  • Collaborative Online International Learning: No

Short Description

In recent decades, memory has become one of the most widely debated issues in academia as well as in everyday life. This course will familiarise students with the exciting interdisciplinary field of memory studies. Beginning with a discussion of the history of the concept of memory and a brief foray into the science of memory, we will analyze how several disciplines (psychology, sociology, history, anthropology) have dealt with memory. We will then look at memory studies through the prism of a number of themes (such as nationalism, transnationalism, media, rights/justice, subjectivity, body, forgetting/silence) and case studies.

Timetable

10 x 1 hour lectures and 5 x 2 hour fortnightly seminars as scheduled in MyCampus.

 

This is one of the MSc options in History and may not run every year. The options that are running this session are available on MyCampus

Requirements of Entry

Standard entry to Masters at College level.

Excluded Courses

HIST4305 Memory Studies

Co-requisites

None

Assessment

Three reading responses (500 words each) - 40% total

Essay (3000 words) - 60%

Course Aims

This course aims to:

 

■ Develop a broad understanding of the history and emergence of the field of Memory Studies and engage with debates in this interdisciplinary field;

■ Analyse and interpret the theoretical literature on Memory Studies to develop a critical understanding of key concepts in this field;

■ Compare the approaches to memory of different disciplines from neuroscience to psychology to sociology to history to anthropology;

■ Recognise the relevance of issues such as nationalism, transnationalism, rights/justice, media, subjectivity, body, forgetting/silence in relation to memory;

■ Hone interdisciplinary research and writing skills, including analytical skills.

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ Communicate effectively about the history of critical debates in the field of Memory Studies;

■ Assess the way different disciplines study memory;

■ Critically analyse, synthesize and evaluate the theoretical literature on Memory Studies;

■ Identify and discuss key theoretical, methodological and historiographical issues concerning the study of memory;

■ Seek out, engage with and critically assess a variety of sources.

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.