You are invited to the next research workshop of Global Asia Studies Research Center at Waseda University, which will be held on May 23 (Thu), 2019, 16:30-18:00


Title: Theoretical Basis of Public History: Aleida and Jan Assmann's Cultural Memory and Joerg Ruesen's Historical Culture


Speaker: Dr. Heng-an Chen (National Cheng-Kung University, Taiwan)



Abstract:


Memory has become a central concern in contemporary societies in a

global scale. How academic historians should respond to this "Memory

Boom"? The theoretical question raised is whether "memory" and

"history" can be as radically separated as historians have thought. To

further discuss this issue, I will introduce two concepts, i.e. Aleida and

Jan Assmann's "Cultural Memory" and Ruesen's "Historical Culture",

and compare their similarities and differences. Discussion of these

issues leads to analysis of advantages and difficulties of applying these

concepts to the study of personal memory, collective memory and even

national memory, or to the works of transitional justice and

reconciliation. At last I will give three examples from Taiwan, especially

from my university, and the city where the university is located. First, I

will introduce a bronze statue of Koxinga (鄭成功) on the Tainan Station

Square. Our University is named after his name. Second, a university

square naming dispute, related to an alumni in the "White Terror"

period (1949-1991). Third, I will introduce our "university history room"

in NCKU museum, and discuss a little about how to communicate the

issues about unhappy or even difficult pasts.



Discussant: Prof. Toyomi Asano (Waseda University)

Chair: Dr. Yoshihiro Nakano (Waseda University)


Language: English




May 23 (Thursday), 2019, 16:30-18:00


Place: Waseda University Campus, Building 14, Room 960


1-104 Totsukamachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 169-8050, JAPAN

Google Maps Link: https://goo.gl/maps/vJbYazrTj3s

A Campus Map can be found at: https://www.waseda.jp/top/en/access/waseda-campus



About Us: The Global Asia Studies Research Center aims to contribute to the global interdisciplinary scholarship on reconciliation and sustainable development and to disseminate its results from Asia to the world. We pursue our research through the dual perspective of global history and global governance, integrating three spheres of knowledge: peace and security, economics and development, and society and culture.


Our official homepage: https://www.waseda.jp/global-asia/



We regularly hold research workshops in which scholars deliver presentations and engage in discussion with members of the audience. Presentations generally last about 45 minutes, followed by 45 minutes of discussion. These forums are open to scholars and members of the general public. All are welcome to attend.