Osher Lifelong Learning Institute
Master Class II
Speaker
Professor Oliva M. Espín
Coordinator
Michael Olsson
How do groups construct collective memories? How are individual memories influenced by collective understandings of historical events? When is it ethical to remember and when does it become destructive to do so? Some of us carry “memories” of events that happened before our birth that have significant psychological effects on us today. Some memories might be encoded in different and even forgotten languages. What are the benefits of writing narratives of memories? Life stories and autobiographical memories, although deeply personal, have important social functions. Get new perspectives on the accumulation of memories that are part of all mature lives.
May 6: Introduction
We will start our discussion exploring the importance of the link between individual and collective memory. We will focus on the relationship of autobiographical memories of individual life events and the collective memory of historical events. We will consider how social class, race, gender and other contexts affect what we remember. Finally, we will talk about the intergenerational transmission of memory and the impact of the present on memories of past events.
May 13: The Social Constructions of Memory
What is the influence of identity, politics, and power collective memories? What is the value of “subversive”, “dangerous” memories and what are their differences from “official” memories? What is the impact of traumatic memories on individuals and societies? We will also address the presence of the silence in collective and individual memory. We will contrast the obligation of memory vs. silencing the past collectively and individually. And we will focus on the importance of commemorations and monuments to preserve and transform collective and individual memories.
May 20: Language and Memory
We will discuss how language affects memory. We will review how language and cultural understandings intersect and focus on the influence of choice of language and wording on individual and collective memory. We will look at the significance of personal narratives both individually and collectively, and on the effect of using more than one language on memory processes.
May 27: The Ethics of Memory
In our last session we will discuss the “duty of memory.” When is it ethical to remember and when is it important to forget and forgive? We will discuss the value of apologies and reparations and the preservation of memories in the context of religious/ spiritual and social justice concerns. And lastly, we will assess the significance of empathy on the ethical preservation of individual and collective memories.
May 6: Introduction
We will start our discussion exploring the importance of the link between individual and collective memory. We will focus on the relationship of autobiographical memories of individual life events and the collective memory of historical events. We will consider how social class, race, gender and other contexts affect what we remember. Finally, we will talk about the intergenerational transmission of memory and the impact of the present on memories of past events.
May 13: The Social Constructions of Memory
What is the influence of identity, politics, and power collective memories? What is the value of “subversive”, “dangerous” memories and what are their differences from “official” memories? What is the impact of traumatic memories on individuals and societies? We will also address the presence of the silence in collective and individual memory. We will contrast the obligation of memory vs. silencing the past collectively and individually. And we will focus on the importance of commemorations and monuments to preserve and transform collective and individual memories.
May 20: Language and Memory
We will discuss how language affects memory. We will review how language and cultural understandings intersect and focus on the influence of choice of language and wording on individual and collective memory. We will look at the significance of personal narratives both individually and collectively, and on the effect of using more than one language on memory processes.
May 27: The Ethics of Memory
In our last session we will discuss the “duty of memory.” When is it ethical to remember and when is it important to forget and forgive? We will discuss the value of apologies and reparations and the preservation of memories in the context of religious/ spiritual and social justice concerns. And lastly, we will assess the significance of empathy on the ethical preservation of individual and collective memories.
Speaker Bio
Presenter: Oliva M. Espín is Professor Emerita, San Diego State University. A native of Cuba, she was a pioneer in the practice and theory of feminist therapy with women from different cultural backgrounds, particularly immigrants and refugees. She is the recipient of many professional awards, most recently, the Outstanding Lifetime Contributions to Psychology from the American Psychological Association. She received her PhD from the University of Florida.
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