Pre-requisites
Students do not need any prior knowledge to follow this lecture. However, those who have taken courses such as history or strategic communication may find them helpful as additional support during the lecture.
Explanation of activity
The lecture introduces various perspectives on memory studies. It explains the difference between cultural memory and political memory. The primary object of study is the so-called “monument wars” in Estonia, demonstrating how emotionally charged historical narratives from an identity perspective have significant potential in information influence activities and what kind of semiotic tools are used for constructing this kind of narrative. In the seminar, participants are asked to discuss specific texts.
Teacher materials
Created by Eneken Laanes
Relevant reading to understand the materials:
- Assmann, Aleida. Shadows of Trauma: Memory and the Politics of Postwar Identity. New York: Fordham Univeristy Press, 2015.
- Olick, Jeffrey K. Politics of Regret: On Collective Memory and Historical Responsibility. London, NY: Routledge, 2007.
Further reading to further develop the activity/understanding of the topic:
- Mälksoo, Maria. “Memory Must Be Defended: Beyond the politics of mnemonical security.” Security Dialogue 46.3 (2015): 221–23
- Rothberg, Michael. “From Gaza to Warsaw: Mapping Multidirectional Memory.” Criticism. 53.4 (2 011): 523–548.
Student Materials
- Ventsel, Andreas 2025. Navigating emotions. The Role of Affective Strategies in Russian History Narratives – Rmt: Ventsel, A.; Selg, P. (eds.). Power of Emotions: On the Affective Constitution of Political Struggle. Spinger.
- Putin, Vladimir 2021. On the Historical Unity of Russians and Ukrainians. (December 7). http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/66181.
Assessing and Evaluation
Seminar texts: Ventsel, Andreas 2025. Navigating emotions. The Role of Affective Strategies in Russian History Narratives – Rmt: Ventsel, A.; Selg, P. (eds.). Power of Emotions: On the Affective Constitution of Political Struggle. Spinger; Putin, Vladimir 2021. On the Historical Unity of Russians and Ukrainians. (December 7). http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/66181.
In assessing whether students have understood the materials, educators should reflect on the following:
- Students are able to analyze Putin’s article by identifying references to historical discourse and their strategic use.
- Students are able to justify how these historical references contribute to the article’s intended impact, particularly in shaping audience perception.
- Students are able to identify and describe the target audience for Putin’s article, considering relevant demographic and psychographic characteristics.
- Students are able to apply knowledge gained in the lecture and examples of the politicization of history from the seminar texts to critically assess the article’s rhetorical, semiotic and ideological strategies.
- Students are able to assess how Putin’s arguments could be applied in the context of Estonian history and discuss their potential implications for public discourse and historical memory in Estonia in the context of “monument war”.
- Students are able to compare and contrast the differences in how historical narratives are used in information influence activities targeting Ukrainian and Baltic audiences, considering the distinct historical experiences, collective memories, and vulnerabilities of these regions.
- Students are able to evaluate the emotional responses elicited by the article and discuss how historical discourse influences these reactions.
- Students are able to apply knowledge gained in the lecture and examples of the politicization of history from the seminar texts to critically assess the article’s rhetorical and ideological strategies.
Modulations
- Students may complete an assignment in which groups of 3–4 students conduct a discourse analysis. In this analysis, they will examine a specific material to assess how history has been securitized and weaponized, while also highlighting the potential advantages and disadvantages of this securitization.
You may also like
June 18, 2025
