Master of International Affairs   Master of Public Policy   Master of Data Science for Public Policy  

Politics of memory and Russia's invasion of Ukraine

Wars, civil wars and violent conflicts in and between communities, apart from the physical suffering they cause, also leave lasting scars in the minds of both victims and aggressors. They need to be dealt with in order to enable societies to create an environment that satisfies the needs of its members. For that purpose, reconciliation with former enemies may be necessary – or not. As the present international situation shows, reconciliation is not easy to achieve, but it is not impossible. The wars in the Balkans, racial conflicts in the United States, Japan’s history of controversies with China and Korea, as well as the Palestine conflict are examples of collective memories of suffering translated into politics decades (or even centuries) later. Memory is shaped by past events but it also responds to present modes of thinking. It therefore may be a cause as well as a tool of current politics; it may mediate identities of communities and it may positively or negatively impact reconciliation between such communities and/or nations. Aside from relevant theory, the course will mainly focus on Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The course will demand that students pursue research questions in working groups, as well as outside the Hertie School.

This course is for 2nd year MIA, MPP and MDS students only.

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