Collective Memory and Armed Conflicts: Perspectives from Latin America (ÜWP) - Detailseite

Armed conflicts leave deep wounds on societies, but their effects are often difficult to measure. Sociologists have argued that collective memory plays a central role in how groups address legacies of violence and make sense of the past. The first part of this course will explore different theoretical perspectives that seek to explain collective memory: how it emerges, how it evolves, and the effects it may have. Since our focus is on collective memory following armed conflict, the second part of the course will discuss mortality statistics: how many people are killed or forcibly disappeared in the context of war, how these numbers are determined, and how they shape our understanding of conflict. We will use case studies to explore these topics, paying special attention to the role of demographic change and intergenerational processes for collective memory. Our focus will be on the Global South, with a strong emphasis on the experiences of Latin America. Students should have an interest in quantitative data analysis. While advanced analytical skills are not required, participants will be asked to actively engage with quantitative analyses and studies.