Exploring the memory politics of East Asia

What is the course about?

In East Asia, collective memories often serve as powerful forces that shape national identities, social cohesion, and even international relations. These memories can be evoked through various means, from textbooks and museums to monuments and public ceremonies, and can often be a double-edged sword—unifying communities while deepening divisions.

This course seeks to unravel the complexities of how certain historical events are remembered differently across China, South Korea, and Japan. It introduces the concept of memory politics and provides a foundational understanding of key memory theories. The course then navigates through specific case studies, including how China recalls the Opium Wars, how South Korea commemorates the Comfort Women, and how Japan remembers the dropping of the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Each of these cases not only stands as a reflection of the country's internal narrative but also as a point of contention in its diplomatic relations with others. By focusing on these, the course aims to shed light on the complicated intersection of history, memory, and modern geopolitics in East Asia.

What will we cover?

- Introduction to memory politics and theories
- What is memory politics?
- Brief introduction to memory theories: collective memory, social memory, and cultural memory
- China and the Opium Wars
- Overview of the Opium Wars
- How China remembers: education, museums, and state narratives
- Political and social implications
- South Korea and the ‘Comfort Women’
- Who were the ‘Comfort Women’?
- South Korea's perspective: public monuments, education, and international relations
- Social and diplomatic ramification
- Japan and the Atomic Bomb
- The Atomic Bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki
- Japan's memory: peace memorials and educational curricula
- Contemporary debates and diplomatic tensions
- Comparative memory politics: case studies in dialogue
- Contrasting modes of Remembrance in China, South Korea, and Japan
- Role of culture, history, and geopolitics in shaping East Asian memory
- Memory and geopolitics: How memory shapes international relations and domestic policies.

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?

Identify memory politics and theories: recognise what memory politics is and why it plays a significant role in international relations.
Understand East Asian context and consider cultural, historical, and geopolitical factors.
Engage in comparative analysis: be able to compare and contrast how different East Asian countries remember their past and the political implications of such memories.
Learn the role of memory in shaping national identity, social cohesion, and international relations.