ISLS 3180 - Possessing the Past

This course explores various ways in which we seek to experience the past as if firsthand: through the treasuring of its relics, both private and public (souvenirs, heirlooms, exhibited artifacts); through the restoration and replication of structures and environments from the past (as at Williamsburg, Disneyland–or the U. Va. grounds); and through the fictional experiences offered by stories, novels, and movies set in the past. Students will explore historical, psychological, and cultural contexts for these efforts, studying their similarities and differences, attempting to determine the sources and implications of this desire to re-live the past, and engaging some of the complex issues raised by that endeavor. Throughout, the course will focus on sharpening the skills of analytical thinking and writing.

Credits: 3