Description
Book SynopsisIn the Handbook of Culture and Memory, Brady Wagoner and his team of international contributors explore how memory is deeply entwined with social relationships, stories in film and literature, group history, ritual practices, material artifacts, and a host of other cultural devices. Culture is seen as the medium through which people live and make meaning of their lives. In this book, analyses focus on the mutual constitution of people''s memories and the social-cultural worlds to which they belong.The complex relationship between culture and memory is explored in: the concept of memory and its relation to evolution, neurology and history; life course changes in memory from its development in childhood to its decline in old age; and the national and transnational organization of collective memory and identity through narratives propagated in political discourse, the classroom, and the media.
Trade ReviewThese expansive essays offer both richly detailed surveys of cutting edge research and productive new directions. Between biology and media theory, between psychology and history, this is the book to read on memory and culture." * John Sutton, Professor, Department of Cognitive Science, Macquarie University *
This volume is essential reading for anyone interested in the role of culture in human memory. Ranging across world history, cultural variations in contemporary societies, and human development from early childhood to old age, the authors have provided a treasure trove of information that is artfully woven together by this sure-handed editorial curation." * Michael Cole, Emeritus Distinguished Professor, Department of Psychology, University of California San Diego *
This volume makes more significant contributions than one can count, and will be a standard reference for those who wish to overcome the hard distinction between individualist and collectivist approaches to memory, which these essays accomplish through their commitment to a deep historical perspective." * Jeffrey Keith Olick, Professor and Chair, Department of Sociology, University of Virginia *
Table of ContentsPart I. Concept and History of Memory Chapter 1: The Evolutionary Origins of Human Cultural Memory Merlin Donald Chapter 2: From Memory as Archive to Remembering as Conversation Jens Brockmeier Chapter 3: Discerning the History Inscribed Within: Significant Sites of the Narrative Unconscious Mark Freeman Part II. Cultural Contexts of Remembering Chapter 4: The Landscape of Family Memory Bradd Shore and Sara Kauko Chapter 5: Materiality of Memory: The Case of the Remembrance Poppy Kyoko Murakami Chapter 6: Approaches to Testimony: Two Current Views and Beyond Kotaro Takagi and Naohisa Mori Chapter 7: Rethinking Function, Self and Culture, in 'Difficult' Autobiographical Memories Steve D. Brown and Paula Reavey Part III. Memory through the Life Course Chapter 8: The Cultural Construction of Memory in Early Childhood Katherine Nelson Chapter 9: Memory in Life Transitions Constance de Saint Laurent and Tania Zittoun Chapter 10: Memory in Old Age: A Life-span Perspective Dieter Ferring Part IV. Memory, History and Identity Chapter 11: National Memory and Where to Find It James V. Wertsch Chapter 12: History, Collective Memories or National Memories? How the Representation of the Past is Framed by Master Narratives Mario Carretero and Floor van Alphen Chapter 13: Media and the Dynamics of Memory: From Cultural Paradigms to Transcultural Mediation Astrid Erll
