University of Warwick

The Memory Group of the European History Research Centre (EHRC) &

Connecting Cultures Global Research Priority

cordially invite you to two events with

Prof. Aleida Assmann

Public Lecture

Transnational Memory and the Construction of History through Mass Media

24 Feb 2016, 5-7pm

Humanities Building (Room 5.45)

All Welcome

A ‘transnational turn’ has been announced by historians and theorists in various subfields of cultural studies. The general challenge of the ‘trans’ is to go beyond national identification, investments and interests and to explore new forms of belonging, participation and cultural identification in a world characterized by dispersed and displaced populations with different historical experiences and trajectories. Looking beyond the border of nations is a promising methodology; but the term often covers up rather than uncovers important problems that are to be encountered in this new area of research. Given the growing impact of national history constructed in the mass media, this contribution will focus on the German Television Miniseries Generation War and its reception, asking whether it stimulates nationalistic narcissism or has the potential to re-image the national past in a more comprehensive European perspective.

Graduate Workshop on Transnational Memory

25 Feb 2016, 10-12 am

This workshop will offer graduate students working in the area of memory studies an opportunity to discuss the topic of transnational memory with Prof Aleida Assmann. Spaces are limited and registration is required for the workshop only. Please contact Ms Tracy Smith on t.smith.2@warwick.ac.uk by 12 Feb 2016.

Aleida Assmann was Professor of English Literature and Literary Theory at the University of Konstanz, Germany from 1992-2014. She received an Honorary Degree from the University of Oslo (2008) and the Max Planck Research Award (2009). Her main areas of research are historical anthropology, history of media, history and theory of reading and writing, cultural memory, with special emphasis on the Holocaust and trauma.

Publications in English:

Memory in a Global Age. Discourses, Practices and Trajectories (ed. with Sebastian Conrad, 2010), Cultural Memory and Western Civilization: Functions, Media, Archives (2012), Memory and Political Change (ed. with Linda Shortt, 2012), Introduction to Cultural Studies: Topics, Concepts, Issues (2012), Empathy and its Limits (ed. with Ines Detmers, 2015), Shadows of Trauma (2015).