Presentations of Readings Precursors & Classics (Continued) Precursors & Classics (Continued) –Bloch pp.150-155 –Bastide, Warner pp. 157-167. –Evans-Pritchard,

Presentations of ReadingsPresentations of Readings

Precursors & Classics (Continued)Precursors & Classics (Continued)– Bloch pp.150-155Bloch pp.150-155– Bastide, Warner pp. 157-167.Bastide, Warner pp. 157-167.– Evans-Pritchard, Lévi-Strauss, pp. 168-176Evans-Pritchard, Lévi-Strauss, pp. 168-176

History, Memory, IdentityHistory, Memory, Identity– Assmann, Berger 207-220Assmann, Berger 207-220– Zerubavel, Olick, Bellah et al. 221-231Zerubavel, Olick, Bellah et al. 221-231– Zerubavel, Schwartz, pp.237-247Zerubavel, Schwartz, pp.237-247

Marc BlochMarc Bloch

Memory work as processMemory work as process How are memories passed from generation to How are memories passed from generation to

generation?generation? Central role of memory as communication Central role of memory as communication

between individualsbetween individuals Questions about fit between ritual & storiesQuestions about fit between ritual & stories Importance of questioning errors in collective Importance of questioning errors in collective

memory narrativesmemory narratives

BastideBastide Analysis of book on African descended Brasilians (Arthur Analysis of book on African descended Brasilians (Arthur

Ramos)Ramos) Religion & myths as traditionReligion & myths as tradition Survival of memory Survival of memory Loss as a product of social changeLoss as a product of social change functionalist & psychoanalytical approaches point to functionalist & psychoanalytical approaches point to

importance of social frameworks for memories to surviveimportance of social frameworks for memories to survive Social continuity depends on structural continuitySocial continuity depends on structural continuity Localization of memories in objects, placesLocalization of memories in objects, places Motor memory, intellectual memoryMotor memory, intellectual memory Importance of social structures (sect, sacred space, secrets)Importance of social structures (sect, sacred space, secrets)

W. Lloyd WarnerW. Lloyd Warner

Symbolic life of Americans—analysis of Symbolic life of Americans—analysis of Memorial Day in USMemorial Day in US

Cults & importance of remembrance rituals Cults & importance of remembrance rituals commemorating the dead for ideas about commemorating the dead for ideas about living & the futureliving & the future

Social rituals as present expressions that are Social rituals as present expressions that are evocative & non-rationalevocative & non-rational

Evans-PritchardEvans-Pritchard

Oecology- ”environmental spacing and Oecology- ”environmental spacing and interdependence of people and institutions, as interdependence of people and institutions, as in rural or in urban settings”in rural or in urban settings”

Time reckoning of Nuer –cyclical but events Time reckoning of Nuer –cyclical but events not evenly distributednot evenly distributed

Steps in lineages—limits to notion of historical Steps in lineages—limits to notion of historical timetime

Time a way of structuring relationships Time a way of structuring relationships between people (past and present)between people (past and present)

Lévi-StraussLévi-Strauss

Notion of distinction between ‘savage’ or Notion of distinction between ‘savage’ or primative & civilized peoplesprimative & civilized peoples

links between ‘totemic’ myths & contemporary links between ‘totemic’ myths & contemporary archives or cultural heritage institutionsarchives or cultural heritage institutions

Ways of inserting irrationality into systems Ways of inserting irrationality into systems that grant physical traces the power to keep that grant physical traces the power to keep some of history to survivesome of history to survive

AssmannAssmann

Communicative vs cultural memoryCommunicative vs cultural memory Mnemohistory—how the past is rememberedMnemohistory—how the past is remembered Not about truth but identityNot about truth but identity ’’concretization of identity’concretization of identity’ Reconstruction within contemporary frame of Reconstruction within contemporary frame of

reference (establishes a horizon)reference (establishes a horizon) Institutionalized heritageInstitutionalized heritage Organization (cultivation)Organization (cultivation) Obligation (formative & normative)dObligation (formative & normative)d Reflexivity Reflexivity

Peter BergerPeter Berger

Phenomenological approachPhenomenological approach ConsciousnessConsciousness Movement through different social worlds Movement through different social worlds Changes in meaning systems linked to Changes in meaning systems linked to

changes in social relationships, changes in changes in social relationships, changes in consciousnessconsciousness

E. ZerubavelE. Zerubavel

More on his methodology in second part of More on his methodology in second part of classclass

Mnemonic communities & traditionsMnemonic communities & traditions Sociolobriographical memorySociolobriographical memory

Olick: Olick:

Collected vs. Collective traditionsCollected vs. Collective traditions individualistic theories, social groupsindividualistic theories, social groups Collectivist challenges to idea of individual Collectivist challenges to idea of individual

memory (groups constituted through memory)memory (groups constituted through memory)

Habits of the HeartHabits of the Heart

Practices of commitment to ‘futures of hope’Practices of commitment to ‘futures of hope’ Importance for social solidarityImportance for social solidarity

Yael ZerubavelYael Zerubavel

Master commemorative narrativesMaster commemorative narratives Distinctive social identityDistinctive social identity Historical developmentHistorical development Transformation of historical time into Transformation of historical time into

commemorative timecommemorative time Events as turning pointsEvents as turning points Tensions—memory as dynamic cultural forceTensions—memory as dynamic cultural force

Barry SchwartzBarry Schwartz

Study of historical reputationsStudy of historical reputations Not just present politicsNot just present politics Memory studies not just about why but how Memory studies not just about why but how

collective memory is constructedcollective memory is constructed Need to theorize on both variations & explain Need to theorize on both variations & explain

persistencepersistence

Time Maps & Framing/Containing MemoryTime Maps & Framing/Containing Memory

prehistory

history

origin

Today’s ClassToday’s Class

Lecture & Discussion ThemesLecture & Discussion Themes – Time Maps & Collective MemoryTime Maps & Collective Memory– If time: begin thinking about Collected Personal If time: begin thinking about Collected Personal

Memories vs. Collective MemoryMemories vs. Collective Memory Film ScreeningFilm Screening

Time Frames in Collective Memory Time Frames in Collective Memory StudiesStudies

Salvador Dali, The Persistence of Memory, 1931

Assumptions about Assumptions about mnemonic tracesmnemonic traces

–Cognitive vs. Cognitive vs. unconscious processesunconscious processes–History vs. History vs. representations of the representations of the pastpast–““mental” structuresmental” structures

Processes & Forms for Framing Memory Processes & Forms for Framing Memory in timein time

““Sociomental” topography of Sociomental” topography of how communitieshow communities rememberremember the pastthe past

Unconventional approach to links between Unconventional approach to links between conventional ideas of ‘history’ & public/collecctive conventional ideas of ‘history’ & public/collecctive memorymemory

mnemonic traditionsmnemonic traditions– ““recalling the past together” & synchronizing attention on recalling the past together” & synchronizing attention on

particular momentsparticular moments– social norms of rememberingsocial norms of remembering– Mnemonic transitivity (allows memory to pass from one Mnemonic transitivity (allows memory to pass from one

person to another even when there is no directe contact)person to another even when there is no directe contact)

Communication of memoriesCommunication of memories Mnemonic “go-betweens” (ex. Mnemonic “go-betweens” (ex.

Old people)Old people) Oral or written accountsOral or written accounts visual resources (ex. Photo visual resources (ex. Photo

albums, books)albums, books) Material culture (monuments, Material culture (monuments,

Halls of Fame, artifacts, art, Halls of Fame, artifacts, art, other artifacts, i.e. licence other artifacts, i.e. licence plates)plates)

Practices (pageants, Practices (pageants, anniversaries)anniversaries)

LawsLaws

““Triggers”, memory retrieval Triggers”, memory retrieval (Mnemonic devices)(Mnemonic devices)

– Words, facts, skills, eventsWords, facts, skills, events

– Ideals, goals, intentions, Ideals, goals, intentions, promisespromises

– Feelings, states-of-mind, earlier Feelings, states-of-mind, earlier selves etc…selves etc…

– Things, odours, ex. Madeleine Things, odours, ex. Madeleine (Marcel Proust, (Marcel Proust, Remembrance Remembrance of things pastof things past, triggered by , triggered by smell and taste of Madeleines, smell and taste of Madeleines, a style of French cakea style of French cake))

““Time Maps” & the Social Shaping of Time Maps” & the Social Shaping of Memory (E. Zerubavel)Memory (E. Zerubavel)

Questions of relevanceQuestions of relevance Long and short term Long and short term Eventful and uneventful periodsEventful and uneventful periods ConnectionsConnections DiscontinuitiesDiscontinuities

Analyzing the Structures of Socio-Analyzing the Structures of Socio-Mental memory traditionsMental memory traditions

1.1. conventional ways of stringing memories together conventional ways of stringing memories together into culturally-meaningful narrativesinto culturally-meaningful narratives

2.2. strategies to create the illusion of historical strategies to create the illusion of historical continuity (bridges)continuity (bridges)

3.3. genealogical structures of ancestry & descentgenealogical structures of ancestry & descent4.4. ““watersheds” that separate one period from the watersheds” that separate one period from the

next & inflating mental dividesnext & inflating mental divides5.5. The social construction of “beginnings” (origin The social construction of “beginnings” (origin

“myths” and the legitimation of claims about the “myths” and the legitimation of claims about the past)past)

(1)Plotlines & Narrative Forms(1)Plotlines & Narrative Forms

Establish connections in Establish connections in narratives,narratives,

scenarios, plotlinesscenarios, plotlines Mental historical outlooks,Mental historical outlooks, Selective use of history,Selective use of history, Often anticipate futureOften anticipate future

Progress narrativesProgress narratives

Plotlines & Narrative FormsPlotlines & Narrative Forms

Decline narrativesDecline narratives

Both imply single directionBoth imply single direction

Zigzag Zigzag NarrativesNarratives ConversionConversion RecoveryRecovery Rise & fallRise & fall

Evolutionary narrativesEvolutionary narratives Unilinear (deterministic)Unilinear (deterministic)

Multilinear Multilinear

(ex. Cladograms--branching)(ex. Cladograms--branching)

Circles Circles (Cycles), (Cycles),

recurrencerecurrence

Cycles (Rhymes)Cycles (Rhymes)

Zodiac & Lunar Calendar (Chinese & Zodiac & Lunar Calendar (Chinese & Western Calendar approximations)Western Calendar approximations)

Western (Solar-Lunar combo.) Western (Solar-Lunar combo.) Calendar SystemsCalendar Systems Combination of Bablyonian & Greco-Roman Combination of Bablyonian & Greco-Roman

astrological & astronomical theories & mythsastrological & astronomical theories & myths 24 hour day & 7 day week24 hour day & 7 day week nomenclature based on cycle named for 7 heavenly nomenclature based on cycle named for 7 heavenly

bodies (visible with ancient technologies) & bodies (visible with ancient technologies) & associations with deities in Greco-Roman & other associations with deities in Greco-Roman & other pantheonspantheons

– Sunday (heavenly body ascendant in first hour of first day--Sun)Sunday (heavenly body ascendant in first hour of first day--Sun)– Monday (moon)Monday (moon)– Tuesday (Mars—God of War)Tuesday (Mars—God of War)– Wednesday (Mercury)Wednesday (Mercury)– Thursday (Jupiter)Thursday (Jupiter)– Friday (Venus)Friday (Venus)– Saturday (Saturn)Saturday (Saturn)

Density Variations --Density Variations --Mountains Mountains and valleys and valleys

– eventful vs. uneventful eventful vs. uneventful moments in the pastmoments in the past

– Unevenly distributedUnevenly distributed

Commemgram exampleCommemgram example

Eventful times, Eventful times, Multiple pastsMultiple pasts

Tasbaski Preparations-SenegalTasbaski Preparations-SenegalTabaski (Wolof) –l Aïd-el-Kebir

2-Creating Historical Continuity by 2-Creating Historical Continuity by bridgingbridging gaps gaps

Linking noncontiguous points in time or place Linking noncontiguous points in time or place to establish continuityto establish continuity– Same placeSame place– Same things (relics & memorabilia)Same things (relics & memorabilia)– Imitation of the past (ex. Courtroom etiquette Imitation of the past (ex. Courtroom etiquette

religious ritual)religious ritual)– ““same” time (commemorative holidays, same” time (commemorative holidays,

reenactments, seasonal identityreenactments, seasonal identity

Historical Historical “Phrasing”“Phrasing” in in NarrativesNarratives

Musical termsMusical terms LegatoLegato (connected) (connected) StaccatoStaccato (breaks) (breaks)

3--Mapping connections with the past 3--Mapping connections with the past through ancestry & descent (models for through ancestry & descent (models for contact chains)contact chains)

Not always based Not always based on consanguinityon consanguinity

historical contact historical contact chains chains

continuous continuous structuresstructures

Mnemonic pastingMnemonic pasting

InterconnectednessInterconnectedness

Genealogical Distance (consanguinity)Genealogical Distance (consanguinity) Ancestral depth (# of generations)Ancestral depth (# of generations)

Phylogenetic TreePhylogenetic Tree

Time and Social DistanceTime and Social Distance

Not just peopleNot just people

Can be practices, things, eventsCan be practices, things, events

Cousinhood & Ancestral DepthCousinhood & Ancestral Depth

Monogenist & Polygenist Models of Human Monogenist & Polygenist Models of Human DescentDescent

Socio-Socio-mnemonic mnemonic dimensions dimensions of ancestryof ancestry

Another look at PhylogenyAnother look at Phylogeny

DDivergence Modellingivergence Modelling

4-Discontinuities: Mnemonic Cutting 4-Discontinuities: Mnemonic Cutting & Shaping Memory& Shaping Memory Conceptualizing Discontinuities (breaks) Conceptualizing Discontinuities (breaks)

Assimilation & DifferenceAssimilation & Difference Periods, epochs as mnemonic transformation of historical continuumPeriods, epochs as mnemonic transformation of historical continuum

History & Prehistory in History & Prehistory in Mnemonic Traditions--Mnemonic Traditions--decapitationdecapitation

History & Prehistory in History & Prehistory in Mnemonic TraditionsMnemonic Traditions Example: Pre-contact and Post contact history of Example: Pre-contact and Post contact history of

N. AmericaN. America

Lumping & Splitting in NarrativesLumping & Splitting in Narratives

5-Beginnings 5-Beginnings and Claims and Claims based on the based on the PastPast

Film Clip Screening:Film Clip Screening: