So far, the GDR history education (Geschichtsdidaktik) has largely been understood as an established system or even perceived from the perspective of its “liquidation”. Almost exclusively text hermeneutic methods were used.
The present study uses alternative approaches in terms of content and methodology. It examines the roots and the beginning…[Read more]

Jubilees, anniversaries, commemoration days, public holidays, etc. Anniversaryitis. The coincidences of the calendar and the astronomical constellations that determine it are increasingly and, today, almost exclusively, defining when and with what our so-called historical consciousness occupies itself. If our current public history–our d…[Read more]

Public History scandals have occurred repeatedly in the German Bundeswehr (German armed forces) in recent years. These scandals comprised young men belonging to this modern parliamentary army who actively draw on the traditions and symbols that were once used by the National Socialist Wehrmacht. This has prompted the German Ministry of Defence to…[Read more]

Paul Feyerabend’s essay “Against method” (1975) is rarely mentioned when scientists try to contextualise and justify their research projects. Or at least I have never come across this piece as a positive reference in a proposal submitted to me for review nor have I ever heard it referred to positively in a talk. Well, except if the writer or speak…[Read more]

In his detailed keynote chapter, I undertake to restructure the terminological field, which is internationally referred to as “Public History”, but also uses terms such as “Cultural Heritage”, “Collective Memory”, “Culture of Remembrance” or “History Culture” etc. He expands on current ways of understanding the term “Public History” and the core…[Read more]

Este artículo tiene como objetivo delinear, a lo largo de La escritura de la historia (1975) y de Historia y psicoanálisis (1987), aquello que me parece distintivo en el concepto de historia construido por Certeau –la idea de heterología– y contraponer mi lectura a la de Roger Chartier, en particular en su breve exposición en un artículo de 1998.…[Read more]

This paper discusses theoretical issues raised by studying Brazilian professional historiography through the concepts of “epistemic virtue” and “scholarly persona” as proposed by Herman Paul. Transitioning from 19th century Western Europe to late 20th century Brazil, or to any other historical situation, for that matter, might result in problem…[Read more]