Memory and Curriculum in Place: Buenos Aires
Faculty Leaders: Dani Friedrich & Sandra Schmidt
This study abroad seminar explores the profound and contested role of the past in contemporary life, using Buenos Aires, Argentina, as the site of inquiry. The course critically examines how collective memory shapes identity and how a "curriculum" of history emerges both inside and outside of formal education. We will investigate the mechanisms—from movies and museums to the city's urban grid—that filter and communicate specific understandings of the past. A special focus will be placed on how the city engages with memories related to its tumultuous recent past.
The program uses an interdisciplinary approach, drawing on memory studies, cultural and human geography, spatial theory, and curriculum studies. Students will apply spatial theory to analyze how power and resources are built into urban landscapes, shaping memorialization. Through daily organized activities and structured walking, participants will engage with local actors, including activists, university faculty, and community groups. Highlights include visits to pivotal sites of memory such as ESMA (a former concentration camp), the Parque de la Memoria, and the Abuelas de Plaza de Mayo.
Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina | Credits: Non-credit, 2 or 3 points | Dates: Summer 2026 (tentatively July 6 – 18) | Enrollment range: 15 - 25