2025/2026
Введение в исследования памяти
Статус:
Дисциплина общефакультетского пула
Кто читает:
Школа филологических наук
Где читается:
Факультет гуманитарных наук
Когда читается:
3 модуль
Охват аудитории:
для своего кампуса
Преподаватели:
Вичкитова Анна Михайловна
Язык:
английский
Кредиты:
3
Контактные часы:
36
Course Syllabus
Abstract
This course is designed for undergraduate students interested in Memory Studies. Memory Studies is a relatively new interdisciplinary field that emerged at the beginning of the 20th century and took shape near the end of it. As an academic discipline, it is still actively developing, and courses dedicated to it are gradually appearing in university curricula across the globe. The course is multidisciplinary, incorporating works from the social sciences and the humanities. Students will critically read and discuss a set of texts related to the core concepts of memory studies, including classical theorists who established the discipline’s key terms as well as later developments by contemporary scholars. We will explore several central questions: How is “memory” defined within the field of Memory Studies? What distinguishes individual memory from collective memory, and how do social, cultural, and political memories differ from one another? Finally, we will investigate how the frameworks of Memory Studies can be applied to analyze different types of memory across various academic disciplines. Through close readings of the foundational texts, interactive lectures, guided discussions, and individual research projects, this course will familiarize students with the key terms and theoretical frameworks of Memory Studies while strengthening their critical thinking and interpretive skills. To fulfill the course requirements, students must have a good command of written and spoken English (a CEFR language proficiency level of B2 or C1 is required).
Learning Objectives
- To introduce the interdisciplinary field of Memory Studies, including its history, foundational theories, key thinkers, and central concepts. To familiarize students with the discipline’s key concepts, such as communicative memory, cultural memory, cultural trauma, postmemory, and nostalgia. To enable students to distinguish between key areas of study within memory studies, such as communicative memory (e.g., oral history) and cultural memory (e.g., cultural artifacts like literature, film, and photography). To familiarize students with the main directions of contemporary memory studies, such as oral history, literature and memory, visual memory studies, digital memory, and memory in media.
Expected Learning Outcomes
- Identify key theorists, explain foundational theories, and describe central debates in the interdisciplinary field of Memory Studies.
- Define and compare the core concepts of the discipline (communicative memory, cultural memory, cultural trauma, postmemory, nostalgia, etc)
- Differentiate between the key frameworks of communicative and cultural memory, including their distinct characteristics and primary medium.
- Analyze how different media (e.g. literature, visual culture, digital media) shape the formation and transmission of memory.
Course Contents
- Part I. Foundations
- Part II. Modes and Transmissions of Memory
- Part III. Communicative Memory
- Part IV. Cultural Memory and Its Forms
Assessment Elements
- Lecture AttendanceAttendance will be evaluated for each lecture on a present (plus) or absent (minus) basis. The total number of “pluses” will be converted to a percentage based on the total number of lectures and will be subsequently translated into an HSE grade according to the following scale: 96–100% = 10; 91–95% = 9; 86–90% = 8; 78–85% = 7; 71–77% = 6; 61–70% = 5; 51–60% = 4; 36–50% = 3; 21–35% = 2; 1–20% = 1; 0% = 0.
- Seminar ParticipationThe assessment of seminar participation is based on the amount of work done and the effort involved. The system of points will be used. Two points are given for active participation and deep contribution during the entire seminar. This includes providing a minimum of two comprehensive answers, giving thoughtful comments, and developing the discussion in a meaningful way. One point is given for 1-2 short answers (which are relevant but limited), correct comments, or correctly answering one direct question, reflecting limited participation during the seminar. 0.5 points are given for answers that are superficial, do not correspond to the question, are inaccurate, or distort the course materials. 0 points means that a substantive answer was not given. The total points (all of one’s points earned) will be converted to a percentage, which will be subsequently translated into a grade according to the following scale: 96–100% = 10; 91–95% = 9; 86–90% = 8; 78–85% = 7; 71–77% = 6; 61–70% = 5; 51–60% = 4; 36–50% = 3; 21–35% = 2; 1–20% = 1; 0% = 0. For example, during the course, one can earn a maximum of 18 points (9 seminars*2 points) which is equal to 100%. NB! All mandatory readings should be done before the class. Active participation in group discussions and in-class assignments is required at every seminar. Students should be in class on time. They are to prepare for every class and to be active in class discussions, being able to respond to any question connected with the issue under discussion. They will get a minus if they have not done their assigned reading and come unprepared or stay silent during the class, and their seminar participation grade will be affected. If one’s absence is excused, the grade for seminar participation will not be reduced.
- Quiz 1This course includes two quizzes (week 4 and 7), 20% each, which together is 40% of the final grade. These quizzes are designed to evaluate students’ understanding of the core readings and concepts. Each quiz weights 10 points. The total points of each quiz (all of one’s points earned) will be converted to a percentage, which will be subsequently translated into a grade according to the following scale: 96–100% = 10; 91–95% = 9; 86–90% = 8; 78–85% = 7; 71–77% = 6; 61–70% = 5; 51–60% = 4; 36–50% = 3; 21–35% = 2; 1–20% = 1; 0% = 0. Each quiz consists of up to five open-ended questions. These may ask student to formulate a reading’s main argument (all articles that used in quiz are marked in syllabus), define a concept, compare different theoretical approaches, etc.
- Quiz 2This course includes two quizzes (week 4 and 7), 20% each, which together is 40% of the final grade. These quizzes are designed to evaluate students’ understanding of the core readings and concepts. Each quiz weights 10 points. The total points of each quiz (all of one’s points earned) will be converted to a percentage, which will be subsequently translated into a grade according to the following scale: 96–100% = 10; 91–95% = 9; 86–90% = 8; 78–85% = 7; 71–77% = 6; 61–70% = 5; 51–60% = 4; 36–50% = 3; 21–35% = 2; 1–20% = 1; 0% = 0. Each quiz consists of up to five open-ended questions. These may ask student to formulate a reading’s main argument (all articles that used in quiz are marked in syllabus), define a concept, compare different theoretical approaches, etc.
- Final Written ExamThe final exam is designed to assess the student’s comprehensive understanding of the course material. The exam is based on the nine core topics of the course. Each student will randomly select one of nine “tickets,” each corresponding to a specific class topic. After selecting a ticket, the student will have time 60 minutes to write down their answer. The ticket will include open-ended questions similar to the quizzes’ but all devoted to one topic. *Each ticket will include an optional question based on the additional reading for students aiming for the highest grades: 9 or 10. The exam is graded on a 10-point scale: 10: An excellent answer that demonstrates knowledge of the core topic and the additional readings. 9: A comprehensive answer that that demonstrates knowledge of the core topic and uses the additional readings but with minor limitations, for example, covering only one additional text or not fully correctly interpreting them. 8: A comprehensive answer, based solely on the required course readings, that demonstrates deep knowledge of the discussed topic. 7: A good and generally accurate answer that demonstrates an understanding of the core material from the required readings but may lack the comprehensive scope or analytical depth. 6 and below: Answers reflect gaps in understanding, factual inaccuracies, or a lack of depth in the discussion.
Interim Assessment
- 2025/2026 3rd module0.3 * Final Written Exam + 0.1 * Lecture Attendance + 0.2 * Quiz 1 + 0.2 * Quiz 2 + 0.2 * Seminar Participation
Bibliography
Recommended Core Bibliography
- A companion to cultural memory studies: an international and interdisciplinary handbook // ed. by Astrid Erll, Ansgar Nünning, Sara Young. Berlin, New York: De Gruyter, 2008.
Recommended Additional Bibliography
- Andrew Hoskins. (2017). Digital Memory Studies : Media Pasts in Transition: Vol. First edition. Routledge.
- Kansteiner, W. (2002). Finding Meaning in Memory: A Methodological Critique of Collective Memory Studies. History & Theory, 41(2), 179. https://doi.org/10.1111/0018-2656.00198