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210063 SE BA 16/G5/G10: SE Political Symbols and Rituals (engl.) (2009W)
Prüfungsimmanente Lehrveranstaltung
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An/Abmeldung
Hinweis: Ihr Anmeldezeitpunkt innerhalb der Frist hat keine Auswirkungen auf die Platzvergabe (kein "first come, first served").
- Anmeldung von Di 15.09.2009 12:50 bis Fr 02.10.2009 12:00
- Anmeldung von So 04.10.2009 13:55 bis Di 06.10.2009 12:00
- Abmeldung bis Di 20.10.2009 12:00
Details
max. 50 Teilnehmer*innen
Sprache: Englisch
Lehrende
Termine (iCal) - nächster Termin ist mit N markiert
- Mittwoch 28.10. 13:15 - 16:30 Hörsaal 1 (H1), NIG 2.Stock
- Mittwoch 04.11. 13:15 - 16:25 Hörsaal 3 (H3), NIG 2. Stock
- Mittwoch 18.11. 13:15 - 16:25 Hörsaal 3 (H3), NIG 2. Stock
- Mittwoch 02.12. 13:15 - 16:25 Hörsaal 3 (H3), NIG 2. Stock
- Mittwoch 16.12. 13:15 - 16:25 Hörsaal 3 (H3), NIG 2. Stock
- Mittwoch 13.01. 13:15 - 16:25 Hörsaal 3 (H3), NIG 2. Stock
- Mittwoch 27.01. 13:15 - 16:25 Hörsaal 3 (H3), NIG 2. Stock
Information
Ziele, Inhalte und Methode der Lehrveranstaltung
Art der Leistungskontrolle und erlaubte Hilfsmittel
Some advice on writing essays1. Your essay MUST answer the question, or focus on the discussion topic, given in the title you choose.2. Keep to the maximum word limit (3000 words). Do not forget to visualize your topic.
3. Your essay should have a beginning (an introduction, which focuses on the title and explains how you will address this subject), a middle (the long section, explaining and illustrating the points of your argument), and an end (the conclusion, bringing together the arguments you have made in the middle).5. There are no 'right' and 'wrong' answers to the questions. A good essay will produce a convincing argument supported by evidence. It does not matter if I disagree with your argument, as long as you make it well.6. Please use references or footnotes to show the sources of the information sources you have used, and please put a bibliography at the end of your essay.
3. Your essay should have a beginning (an introduction, which focuses on the title and explains how you will address this subject), a middle (the long section, explaining and illustrating the points of your argument), and an end (the conclusion, bringing together the arguments you have made in the middle).5. There are no 'right' and 'wrong' answers to the questions. A good essay will produce a convincing argument supported by evidence. It does not matter if I disagree with your argument, as long as you make it well.6. Please use references or footnotes to show the sources of the information sources you have used, and please put a bibliography at the end of your essay.
Mindestanforderungen und Beurteilungsmaßstab
11 November 2009
Interpretation of history
Myth-creating processes in majority of European nations are characterised by similar processes of national identity construction. They are based on myths regarding the ¿golden age¿of the nations (arriving to the motherland, period of bloom), history of rulers (kings, emperors, earls), wars and important fights (victories and defeats), events and national heroes who served as founders, saviours or protectors of the given ethnical or national collectivity. This is in effect a construction of images in national history through selection of myths, rituals and symbols that correspond with the contents of historical and political memory of the nation concerned.Essential reading
Smith, Anthony: "The ¿Golden Age¿and National Renewal" In: Hosking, G., Schöpflin, G. Eds.) Myths and Nationhood. London, 1997, 36 - 59Cohen, S. J. (1999) Politics without a Past. The Absence of History in Postcommunist Nationalism. Durham: Duke University Press, pp. 119-155Müller, Jan_Werner: " Introduction: the power of memory, the memory of power and the power over memory". In: Jan-Werner Müller (ed.): Memory and Power in Post-War Europe. Studies in the Presence of the Past. Cambridge University Press, 2002 pp.1-35Recommended reading
" Kovác, D. (2003) ¿ Die Teilung der Tschechoslowakei: Mehr Mythen als Analyse¿ in: Europäische Rundschau, 2003/2 , pp. 81 - 91
" Sarauw, L. (2004) Together We Part. Collective Memory, Political Culture, and the Break-Up of Czechoslovakia. University of Aarhus, Dissertation Thesis, pp. 172-20325 November 2009
Political symbolism
An important role in securing and transmitting given myths between generations is played by the power elites. These regularly organize and actively participate in ritual commemoration of selected events, in gatherings of remembrance of national heroes, in speeches and participation alone in ceremonies of revealing statues and monuments. Political and intellectual elites use power which enables them to ¿control¿ the topics of public discussion in the media, to promote selected frameworks for interpretation of national/state history in textbooks and everyday life.Essential readingLipták, L. (2002) Changes of Changes. Society and Politics in Slovakia in the 20th Century. Bratislava: AEP, pp. 155-163Anderson, Benedict (2006) Imagined Communities. 11th chapter Memry and Forgetting. London: Verso, pp. 187-207Verdery, Katherine: The political lives of death bodies: reburial and postsocialist change. Columbia University Press, 1999, 1 - 53Recommended reading
" Cerulo, K. (1995) Identity Designs. The Sights and Sounds of a Nation. New Jersey, 1-33
" Politiques symboliques en Europe centrale. (2005) Special number of the revue La nouvelle Alternative. Politique et société a l ¿Est. Vol. 20, n. 66-67, Paris2 December 2009
Concept of Europe
Much of the confusion which exists about ¿Europe¿ arises from the fact that the word can be applied in many different ways. ¿Europe¿nowadays tends to signify in English ¿Brussels¿, the EU or the EU Commission. There are also other meanings - geographical term, European history, identity, civilization, economic, political and security structures¿.Essential reading
Rieu, Alain-Marc; Duprat Gérard (eds.): European Democratic culture. What is Europe? Routledge, London, 1995, pp. 235-259Recommended reading
" Wintle, M. (1996) ¿Europe¿s image: Visual representations of Europe from the earliest times to the twentieth century¿ in: Wintle M. (ed.) Culture and Identity in Europe. Avebury, pp. 52-97
" Smith, A.D. (1992) ¿National Identity and the Idea of European Unity¿ in: International Affairs, Vol. 68, No. 1, pp. 55-76
Interpretation of history
Myth-creating processes in majority of European nations are characterised by similar processes of national identity construction. They are based on myths regarding the ¿golden age¿of the nations (arriving to the motherland, period of bloom), history of rulers (kings, emperors, earls), wars and important fights (victories and defeats), events and national heroes who served as founders, saviours or protectors of the given ethnical or national collectivity. This is in effect a construction of images in national history through selection of myths, rituals and symbols that correspond with the contents of historical and political memory of the nation concerned.Essential reading
Smith, Anthony: "The ¿Golden Age¿and National Renewal" In: Hosking, G., Schöpflin, G. Eds.) Myths and Nationhood. London, 1997, 36 - 59Cohen, S. J. (1999) Politics without a Past. The Absence of History in Postcommunist Nationalism. Durham: Duke University Press, pp. 119-155Müller, Jan_Werner: " Introduction: the power of memory, the memory of power and the power over memory". In: Jan-Werner Müller (ed.): Memory and Power in Post-War Europe. Studies in the Presence of the Past. Cambridge University Press, 2002 pp.1-35Recommended reading
" Kovác, D. (2003) ¿ Die Teilung der Tschechoslowakei: Mehr Mythen als Analyse¿ in: Europäische Rundschau, 2003/2 , pp. 81 - 91
" Sarauw, L. (2004) Together We Part. Collective Memory, Political Culture, and the Break-Up of Czechoslovakia. University of Aarhus, Dissertation Thesis, pp. 172-20325 November 2009
Political symbolism
An important role in securing and transmitting given myths between generations is played by the power elites. These regularly organize and actively participate in ritual commemoration of selected events, in gatherings of remembrance of national heroes, in speeches and participation alone in ceremonies of revealing statues and monuments. Political and intellectual elites use power which enables them to ¿control¿ the topics of public discussion in the media, to promote selected frameworks for interpretation of national/state history in textbooks and everyday life.Essential readingLipták, L. (2002) Changes of Changes. Society and Politics in Slovakia in the 20th Century. Bratislava: AEP, pp. 155-163Anderson, Benedict (2006) Imagined Communities. 11th chapter Memry and Forgetting. London: Verso, pp. 187-207Verdery, Katherine: The political lives of death bodies: reburial and postsocialist change. Columbia University Press, 1999, 1 - 53Recommended reading
" Cerulo, K. (1995) Identity Designs. The Sights and Sounds of a Nation. New Jersey, 1-33
" Politiques symboliques en Europe centrale. (2005) Special number of the revue La nouvelle Alternative. Politique et société a l ¿Est. Vol. 20, n. 66-67, Paris2 December 2009
Concept of Europe
Much of the confusion which exists about ¿Europe¿ arises from the fact that the word can be applied in many different ways. ¿Europe¿nowadays tends to signify in English ¿Brussels¿, the EU or the EU Commission. There are also other meanings - geographical term, European history, identity, civilization, economic, political and security structures¿.Essential reading
Rieu, Alain-Marc; Duprat Gérard (eds.): European Democratic culture. What is Europe? Routledge, London, 1995, pp. 235-259Recommended reading
" Wintle, M. (1996) ¿Europe¿s image: Visual representations of Europe from the earliest times to the twentieth century¿ in: Wintle M. (ed.) Culture and Identity in Europe. Avebury, pp. 52-97
" Smith, A.D. (1992) ¿National Identity and the Idea of European Unity¿ in: International Affairs, Vol. 68, No. 1, pp. 55-76
Prüfungsstoff
28.10.2009
Research on political symbolism
Politics is expressed through symbolism. Rather little that is political involves the use of direct force and despite material resources are crucial to the political process, even their use and distribution are largely shaped through symbolic means. To understand the political process it is necessary to understand how the symbolic enters into politics, how political actors consciously and unconsciously manipulate symbols, and how this symbolic dimension relates to the material bases of political power. Where do symbols come from? What do symbols mean and why?Essential reading
Schöpflin, G. (1997) ¿The Functions of Myth and a Taxanomy of Myths¿ in: Hosking, G., Schöpflin, G. (eds.) Myths and Nationhood. London: Hurst&Company, pp. 19 - 35Elder, Ch.D. , Cobb, R. W. (1983) The Political Uses of Symbols. New York : Longman, pp. 28-47Thwaites, T., Davis, L., Mules, W. (2002) Introducing cultural and media studies - a semiotic approach. 3rd chapter Interactions of signs. London: Palgrave, pp.48-73Recommended reading
" Eidlin, F. (1988) ¿The Breakdown of Newspeak¿ in: Political Communication and Persuasion, Vol. 5, pp. 225-236Political culture and political mythology
Cultural ¿turn¿ in social sciences. Relevance of the study of political culture in transition societies. Typology of political cultures - changing indicators, criteria, classification. Memory, myths and stereotypes in political culture. The role of myths in collective memory, in production of memory.Essential reading
Strath, B. (ed.) (2000) Europe and the Other and Europe as the Other. Brussels: Peter Lang, pp. 13 - 67
Kertzer, D. I. (1988) : Ritual, politics, and power. Yale University, pp. 1 - 14Helleiner, E. (2002)The Making of National Money. Territorial Currencies in Historical Perspective. London: Cornell University Press, pp. 186-245Recommended reading
" Pynsent, R.B. (1994) Questions of Identity. Czech and Slovak Ideas of Nationality and Personality. Budapest: CEU Press, pp. 147-196Ideological context of political symbolism
Political symbolism expresses in a condensed form the basic political values, historical traditions, and identities that are accepted by the social elite, if not by all members of society. The most important role in the selection of suitable (i.e. usable) symbols, myths, and rituals is played by political and intellectual elites, i.e. by those who have the power and the ability to address society and therefore ¿control¿ language and the content of public discourse.
Essential reading
Ross, Marc Howard (2007) Cultural Contestation in Ethnic Conflict. 3rd chapter Narratives and performance: ritual enactment and psychocultural dramas in ethnic conflict. Cambridge University Press, pp. 63-87Cohen, A. (1974) Two-Dimensional Man. An Essay on the anthropology of power and symbolism in complex society. London: Routledge, pp.18 - 64Recommended reading
" Lowell, D.W. (2001) ¿Trust and the politics of postcommunism¿in: Communist and Postcommunist Studies, 34, pp. 27-38
Research on political symbolism
Politics is expressed through symbolism. Rather little that is political involves the use of direct force and despite material resources are crucial to the political process, even their use and distribution are largely shaped through symbolic means. To understand the political process it is necessary to understand how the symbolic enters into politics, how political actors consciously and unconsciously manipulate symbols, and how this symbolic dimension relates to the material bases of political power. Where do symbols come from? What do symbols mean and why?Essential reading
Schöpflin, G. (1997) ¿The Functions of Myth and a Taxanomy of Myths¿ in: Hosking, G., Schöpflin, G. (eds.) Myths and Nationhood. London: Hurst&Company, pp. 19 - 35Elder, Ch.D. , Cobb, R. W. (1983) The Political Uses of Symbols. New York : Longman, pp. 28-47Thwaites, T., Davis, L., Mules, W. (2002) Introducing cultural and media studies - a semiotic approach. 3rd chapter Interactions of signs. London: Palgrave, pp.48-73Recommended reading
" Eidlin, F. (1988) ¿The Breakdown of Newspeak¿ in: Political Communication and Persuasion, Vol. 5, pp. 225-236Political culture and political mythology
Cultural ¿turn¿ in social sciences. Relevance of the study of political culture in transition societies. Typology of political cultures - changing indicators, criteria, classification. Memory, myths and stereotypes in political culture. The role of myths in collective memory, in production of memory.Essential reading
Strath, B. (ed.) (2000) Europe and the Other and Europe as the Other. Brussels: Peter Lang, pp. 13 - 67
Kertzer, D. I. (1988) : Ritual, politics, and power. Yale University, pp. 1 - 14Helleiner, E. (2002)The Making of National Money. Territorial Currencies in Historical Perspective. London: Cornell University Press, pp. 186-245Recommended reading
" Pynsent, R.B. (1994) Questions of Identity. Czech and Slovak Ideas of Nationality and Personality. Budapest: CEU Press, pp. 147-196Ideological context of political symbolism
Political symbolism expresses in a condensed form the basic political values, historical traditions, and identities that are accepted by the social elite, if not by all members of society. The most important role in the selection of suitable (i.e. usable) symbols, myths, and rituals is played by political and intellectual elites, i.e. by those who have the power and the ability to address society and therefore ¿control¿ language and the content of public discourse.
Essential reading
Ross, Marc Howard (2007) Cultural Contestation in Ethnic Conflict. 3rd chapter Narratives and performance: ritual enactment and psychocultural dramas in ethnic conflict. Cambridge University Press, pp. 63-87Cohen, A. (1974) Two-Dimensional Man. An Essay on the anthropology of power and symbolism in complex society. London: Routledge, pp.18 - 64Recommended reading
" Lowell, D.W. (2001) ¿Trust and the politics of postcommunism¿in: Communist and Postcommunist Studies, 34, pp. 27-38
Literatur
16 December
Myth of Central Europe
The understanding of the concept of Central Europe varies considerably from nation to nation and from time to time. In the English language, the concept of Central Europe largely fell out of usage during Cold War, shadowed by notions of Eastern and Western Europe. It may be seen in historical and cultural contexts. However, the term is being increasingly used again, with the recent enlargement of the European Union. The ¿Lands in Between¿ and the ¿Return to Europe¿.Essential reading
Puntscher Riekmann, S. (1997) ¿The Myth of European Unity¿ in: Hosking, G., Schöpflin, G. (eds.) Myths and Nationhood. London, pp. 60 - 71Batt, J. (2003) ¿Introduction: Defining Central and Eastern Europe¿in: White, S., Batt, J., Lewis, P.G. (eds.) Developments in Central and East European Politics. New York: Palgrave Macmillan, pp. 3-22Recommended reading
" Miller, S. (1997) Understanding Europeans. Santa Fe, New Mexico: John Muir Publications, pp. 3 - 17, 89 - 11513 January 2010
Collective identities in the new European democracies
Collective identities are often perceived as empowering by providing a sense of belonging. At the same time, by the very existence of these collective identities produce new boundaries of "in" and "out" and new norms of behavior that limit people's freedom to be and to do. Thus, identity can be disempowering and even threaten people's lives, in the case of nationalist or homophobic attacks. Obviously discussed collective identities (ethnic, gender, or nation-based) are perceived as "natural." All of them are social constructions. That doesn't mean they don't exist or that they don't have an influence on our lives. But it means that we have an active role in shaping our collective identities, in stabilizing or deconstructing them. Is there a European identity? Eurobarometer data analyses.
Essential reading
Ash, T. G. (2002) ¿Trials, purges and history lessons: treating a difficult past in post-communist Europe¿ in: Müller, J. -W. (ed.) Memory and Power in Post-War Europe. Studies in the Presence of the Past. Cambridge University Press, pp.265-283Cohen, S. (2001) States of Denial. Knowing about Atrocities and Suffering. Blackwell Publishers Ltd., UK, pp. 117-132, 278-296Miháliková, S. (2002) ¿The Politics of Memory in Post-Communist Slovakia¿ in: Central European Political Science Review, Vol.3, Nu.7, pp. 134 - 148Recommended reading
" Drulák, P. (2001) ¿Introduction: The Return of Identity to European Politics¿in: Drulák, P. (ed.) National and European Identities in EU Enlargement. Prague: Institute of International Relations, pp. 11-2113 January 2010
Public spaces, monuments, statues, commemorative plaques/tables
If artefacts play a central role in the memories of cultures and individuals, then monuments, constructed of durable materials, and seemingly permanent, can serve as ideal "sites of memory". Certainly their usual location in public places make them part of a shared present, rather than mere works of art or simple symbols of a disputed past. Precisely because of their significance as repositories for memory, monuments are places of conflicting construction of memory and make ideal targets for defacement, destruction, or removal in times of historical contest. It is common for new regimes to symbolise their break with the past by changing the names of public places, especially when those names refer to the dates of significant events or to historical figures from the past that is to be forgotten.Essential readingPuntscher Riekmann, S. (2005) ¿The City as a European Symbol¿ in: Öhner, V., Pribersky, A., Uhl, H. (eds.) Europa-Bilder. Wien: Studien Verlag, pp. 35-54Miháliková, S.(2006) ¿The Making of the Capital of Slovakia¿ in: International Review of Sociology, Vol. 16, July, pp. 309-327
Myth of Central Europe
The understanding of the concept of Central Europe varies considerably from nation to nation and from time to time. In the English language, the concept of Central Europe largely fell out of usage during Cold War, shadowed by notions of Eastern and Western Europe. It may be seen in historical and cultural contexts. However, the term is being increasingly used again, with the recent enlargement of the European Union. The ¿Lands in Between¿ and the ¿Return to Europe¿.Essential reading
Puntscher Riekmann, S. (1997) ¿The Myth of European Unity¿ in: Hosking, G., Schöpflin, G. (eds.) Myths and Nationhood. London, pp. 60 - 71Batt, J. (2003) ¿Introduction: Defining Central and Eastern Europe¿in: White, S., Batt, J., Lewis, P.G. (eds.) Developments in Central and East European Politics. New York: Palgrave Macmillan, pp. 3-22Recommended reading
" Miller, S. (1997) Understanding Europeans. Santa Fe, New Mexico: John Muir Publications, pp. 3 - 17, 89 - 11513 January 2010
Collective identities in the new European democracies
Collective identities are often perceived as empowering by providing a sense of belonging. At the same time, by the very existence of these collective identities produce new boundaries of "in" and "out" and new norms of behavior that limit people's freedom to be and to do. Thus, identity can be disempowering and even threaten people's lives, in the case of nationalist or homophobic attacks. Obviously discussed collective identities (ethnic, gender, or nation-based) are perceived as "natural." All of them are social constructions. That doesn't mean they don't exist or that they don't have an influence on our lives. But it means that we have an active role in shaping our collective identities, in stabilizing or deconstructing them. Is there a European identity? Eurobarometer data analyses.
Essential reading
Ash, T. G. (2002) ¿Trials, purges and history lessons: treating a difficult past in post-communist Europe¿ in: Müller, J. -W. (ed.) Memory and Power in Post-War Europe. Studies in the Presence of the Past. Cambridge University Press, pp.265-283Cohen, S. (2001) States of Denial. Knowing about Atrocities and Suffering. Blackwell Publishers Ltd., UK, pp. 117-132, 278-296Miháliková, S. (2002) ¿The Politics of Memory in Post-Communist Slovakia¿ in: Central European Political Science Review, Vol.3, Nu.7, pp. 134 - 148Recommended reading
" Drulák, P. (2001) ¿Introduction: The Return of Identity to European Politics¿in: Drulák, P. (ed.) National and European Identities in EU Enlargement. Prague: Institute of International Relations, pp. 11-2113 January 2010
Public spaces, monuments, statues, commemorative plaques/tables
If artefacts play a central role in the memories of cultures and individuals, then monuments, constructed of durable materials, and seemingly permanent, can serve as ideal "sites of memory". Certainly their usual location in public places make them part of a shared present, rather than mere works of art or simple symbols of a disputed past. Precisely because of their significance as repositories for memory, monuments are places of conflicting construction of memory and make ideal targets for defacement, destruction, or removal in times of historical contest. It is common for new regimes to symbolise their break with the past by changing the names of public places, especially when those names refer to the dates of significant events or to historical figures from the past that is to be forgotten.Essential readingPuntscher Riekmann, S. (2005) ¿The City as a European Symbol¿ in: Öhner, V., Pribersky, A., Uhl, H. (eds.) Europa-Bilder. Wien: Studien Verlag, pp. 35-54Miháliková, S.(2006) ¿The Making of the Capital of Slovakia¿ in: International Review of Sociology, Vol. 16, July, pp. 309-327
Zuordnung im Vorlesungsverzeichnis
Letzte Änderung: Mo 07.09.2020 15:38
Jean Monnet Professor
Institute of European Studies and International Relations
Faculty of Social and Economic Sciences, Comenius University, Bratislava
Winter semester 2009/10SE POLITICAL SYMBOLS AND MYTHSThe aim of the course is to answer the question of how to study and understand current symbolic politics. To understand the substantial changes brought about by the changing of political regimes we need to pay attention to the myths, language and symbolism of the given processes. The crisis moments of ruptures and formation of new political regimes represent a fertile ground for re-confirmation as well as re-making and modification or total transformation of political symbols, rituals and myths as an expression of fundamental values. Interpreting current state of society within the processes of the European integration, their past and future means combining rational as well as irrational narrative elements; i.e. the configuration of various myths and symbols. What role does play national symbolism in the processes of European integration? How are built collective identities in integration processes, what are the main problems of introducing European citizenship?
The course will be conducted in English. Main part of the readings are available in electronic format (CD or memory stick provided by prof. Mihalikova on the first session).Students are expected to:1. Prepare for seminars with compulsory preliminary reading, and actively participate in discussion 10% of the overall assessment.
2. Submit twice a semester (25 November 2009 and by the end of semester) written commented summary of readings for each seminar. 20% of the overall assessment.
3. Make one individual or joint (maximum 3 students) class presentation of between five and ten minutes on a pre-agreed topic - in case of student¿s absence they will prepare a written summary of the presentation of between 1,000 and 1,500 words in length 30% of the overall assessment.
4. Write a final essay of between 2,000 and 3,000 words on a pre-agreed topic 40% of the overall assessment.