History
Historical memory in Ukraine
A study-day course examining how contested historical events and memory shape Ukraine’s identity, politics, and relations with Russia and the West through lectures, discussion and case studies.
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Upcoming classes
1 class
About this course
The course considers how events including Kyivan Rus’, the Cossack period, imperial and Soviet rule, the Holodomor, the Second World War, Chernobyl, Crimea and Donbas are remembered and debated. It examines official and grassroots memory projects, post-independence decommunisation, and the use of historical narratives in Ukraine’s conflict and diplomacy with Russia. Teaching combines lectures, group discussion and case-study analysis. Participants will assess how monuments, museums, textbooks and media construct national narratives, while considering regional, ethnic and political differences in interpretations of the past.
What you'll learn
- Analyse how historical events are remembered, contested and politicised in Ukraine.
- Examine the relationship between historical memory, Ukrainian national identity and political debate.
- Assess how monuments, museums, textbooks and media contribute to national narratives.
- Evaluate the role of historical memory in Ukraine’s relationships with Russia and Western countries.
- Compare official and grassroots approaches to remembering Ukraine’s past.
Is this course right for you?
The course is intended both for newcomers to the subject and learners with some background knowledge. It involves listening to lectures, contributing to discussions and examining differing interpretations of sensitive historical and political issues. A good grasp of English is needed, alongside a respectful willingness to consider views that may differ from one’s own.
- Suitable for learners with either no prior subject background or some existing knowledge.
- Requires a good grasp of English.
- Includes group and class discussion of contested and sensitive topics.
- Optional shared resources and reading can be explored beyond the class.
Before you go
- Pen and paper or a digital equivalent may be used for note-taking.
- There is no required work outside class; optional reading materials are provided for further exploration.
- The source states that there are no additional costs.