ATS3956 · Trauma and memory in the modern world

Overview

In this unit you will examine the histories, theories, and applications of trauma and memory in relation to twentieth- and twenty-first century events. You will explore these interrelated concepts from interdisciplinary perspectives—including psychoanalysis, literature, history, philosophy, and anthropology. Through this lens, you will investigate a range of transnational and transhistorical case studies. Topics may include: hospitality and hostility in the context of immigration state sovereignty in modern society; war traumas experienced by soldiers, civilians, and refugees; the legacies of colonization and decolonization; testimonies of gender-based violence and struggles; memories of pandemics, disease, mourning, and caring; and the ethics of empathy and listening in relation to others’ suffering. Together, these topics highlight how personal and collective traumas in history are remembered and represented.

Areas of study: Holocaust and genocide studies Human rights and social justice Jewish studies

Offerings

Assessment

The Handbook does not list a final examination among the assessment items. That is not a guarantee there is none.

Within semester assessment: 100%

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Requisites

The Handbook lists no prerequisite, corequisite or prohibition for this unit.

Learning outcomes

1. examine the various individual, historical, cultural, and political factors that contribute to the shaping of traumatic memory;
2. insightfully articulate and assess the scholarly debates regarding differences between individual and collective experiences of trauma, and the limitations and possibilities of applying Western conceptions of trauma in non-Western contexts;
3. explain how trauma operates as both an internal psychological experience and as an external, social, and global phenomenon, including in international representations of violence and suffering;
4. critically analyse different kinds of historical sources relevant to trauma and memory, including audiovisual testimonies;
5. communicate effectively in written and oral formats and in individual and collaborative settings.

Workload

Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning and online engagement.

Student experience, not official rules. Nothing here changes what the Handbook says.