Memorial days and monuments: every nation recalls its history. Antisemitism, the Holocaust, East Germany's STASI terror and the resistance to dictatorships, and the more recent debates about Germany's colonial history come to mind when we think of 20th century Germany. In this seminar, we will explore the culture of remembrance (Erinnerungskultur) and visit places of remembrance (Erinnerungsorte) virtually. We will discuss how and what we do--and do not--remember, based on selected readings, documentaries, and memorial sites. Speakers from Germany will be invited via Zoom to talk about specific places and activities of remembrance. We will develop online projects, for example, one's own family history or that of others, or geo-mapping memorial sites. |