Symbols and Society: Politics of Symbolization and Collective Memory 3500-FAKM-SYMSPOLscc
The issues of the seminar include the symbolic dimension of social life. Various forms and functions of social symbolism will be discussed, especially symbolic power and the politics of symbolization encompassing collective memory. The formation and transmission of collective memory are key socio-cultural processes. The issues of communities of memory, the politics of memory, settling accounts with the past and conflicts over memory – local, international and global – have made research on memory, forgetting and commemoration occupy a central place among research problems in the social sciences. Research on social memory and its symbolic carriers includes, on the one hand, identity-forming and integration policies of ethnic, national or European memory, and on the other, the intensifying symbolic conflicts over collective memory. The general category of memory includes many mnemonic phenomena that will be analyzed, such as the concepts of collective memory, cultural memory and biographical memory. The problem of cultural trauma and memory of trauma will be considered. Participants of the seminar will critically analyze selected issues and analytical categories relating to social symbolism, the politics of symbolization, and the politics of memory.
Type of course
Mode
Prerequisites (description)
Course coordinators
Learning outcomes
K_W01 knows and understands in depth the research methodology and terminology in the field of sociology
K_W02 knows and understands in depth the social nature of relationships between individuals, groups and social institutions
K_W04 knows and understands in depth the assumptions and claims of the main contemporary sociological theories and the state of the sociological debate
K_W05 knows and understands in depth the processes taking place in Polish and global society and their impact on attitudes and social institutions in the context of fundamental contemporary challenges
K_W06 knows and understands the concepts and principles of intellectual property protection and copyright
K_U01 is able to apply sociological terms and categories to in-depth analysis of complex problems of contemporary Polish and global society
K_U02 is able to critically select and interpret information necessary to conduct creative sociological analyses, using various sources (in native and foreign languages at B2+ level) and using modern information and communication techniques
K_S01 is ready to critically evaluate the scientific and social debate in the field of sociological sciences, as well as his/her own participation in it, including recognizing the importance of scientific evidence and the role of experts in the process of creating and implementing knowledge
K_S04 is ready to observe and disseminate professional ethics, respect for intellectual property and the dignity of persons participating in the research process
K_S05 is ready to contribute to building the body of knowledge and participating in the scientific life of the sociological community
Assessment criteria
Participation in a discussion, presentation of a problem based on the reading, written work - essay.
Acceptable number of excused absences: 2
Rules for making retakes: written work in accordance with standards.
Workload: participation in the seminar – 30 hrs.; readings – 40 hrs.; paper and presentation – 10 hrs.; elaboration and presentation of the essay’s problems – 10 hrs.; preparation and presentation of the essay – 30 hrs. Total: 120 hrs.
Bibliography
Literatura
Assmann Aleida, Między historią a pamięcią, Warszawa 2013: Wydawnictwa Uniwersytetu Warszawskiego, s. 39-57.
Cohen Anthony, Symboliczne konstruowanie wspólnoty, Warszawa: Narodowe Centrum Kultury, s. 112-133.
Connerton Paul, Jak społeczeństwa pamiętają, Warszawa 2012: Wydawnictwa Uniwersytetu Warszawskiego, s. 31-37.
Hałas Elżbieta, Symbole publiczne a polska tożsamość. Zmiana i niejednoznaczność w kalendarzu świąt państwowych III Rzeczypospolitej, „Kultura i Społeczeństwo”, 2001: nr 3-4, ss. 49-67.
Hałas Elżbieta, Przez pryzmat kultury, Warszawa 2015: Wydawnictwa Uniwersytetu Warszawskiego, s. 161-171.
Hałas Elżbieta, Symbole i społeczeństwo. Szkice z socjologii interpretacyjnej, Warszawa 2007: Wydawnictwa UW, s. 55-73.
Macdonald Sharon, Krainy pamięci. O dziedzictwie i tożsamości we współczesnej Europie, Kraków 2021: Międzynarodowe Centrum Kultury, s. 127-150.
Ricoeur Paul, Pamięć, historia, zapomnienie, Kraków 2007: UNIVERSITAS, s. 585-600
Uspienski Boris, Historia i semiotyka, Gdańsk 1998: słowo / obraz terytoria, s. 53-61.
Verdery Katherine, The Political Life of Dead Bodies. Reburial and Postsocialist Change, New York: Columbia University Press, s. 1-22.
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: