This graduate course for Masters and PhD students will introduce those enrolled to a number of critical issues in the current theory and practice of history as these intersect with changing present day values and world events. It is not a course on methods and approaches, nor on the philosophy of history per se. Rather the intent is to discuss some past and current key thinkers on historiographic matters over the past century, and current issues both within and outside the academic profession. We will endeavour to combine theory with practice by choosing cases where positions taken with respect to the past have had a significant impact in the public sphere. Topics will include how we use the past to make sense of the present (and vice-versa); who “owns” the past; repatriation of objects to previously colonized nations; statue and memorial controversies; how businesses use the past as a tool; the ethical responsibilities of the historian; the question of moral judgment in history; recent debates over “presentism”; the relationship between history and memory; and the impact on historical writing of postmodernism and postcolonialism. Students are advised in advance that this course and its readings will touch on some controversial and sensitive topics such as Holocaust denial; political persecution; war crimes; genocide and ethnic cleansing; cultural appropriation; and debates over reparations and reconciliation. May be offered jointly with HIST 414.
