Admission requirements
Required course(s):
None, but recommended courses are:
Birth of the Modern World
Cultural & Visual Analysis, and/or
Political Iconology: Art & Diversity (1600-1800)
Students with a particular interest in the history of forgery and fake news are encouraged to also apply for a place in my Research Clinics in forgery studies (blocks 1 & 2 and blocks 3 & 4).
Description
Fake news is nothing new. Ever since the invention of movable type, printing presses have been churning out reports of fabricated events as well as a range of other kinds of faked pasts, and photography, film and the internet have all added numerous historical fakes of their own. This course explores a large group of these forgeries (dating from the early 17th century to today and ranging from fake IDs to forged national histories) and examines the different ways in which these engage with the past. If history is, as Johan Huizinga wrote in his essay ‘The Task of Cultural History’ (1929), ‘the interpretation of the significance that the past has for us’, then historical forgery is the ultimate expression of that significance – histories not merely interpreted but fabricated to suit their own time’s perceptions, expectations and demands of the past.
The course will start with an introduction to forgery, in which we will discuss different definitions and genres as well as the various rhetorical strategies that forgers have used to make their faked pasts appear authentic. We will then continue with a historical overview, focusing on why particular forgeries were made and what their faked pasts reveal about their own period. What can they tell us about the development of particular discourses, such as nation, gender and religious, social and political diversity? What do they reveal about encounters between different cultures? How do they reflect developments in the perception and role of history in their respective societies? Particular attention will be paid to the propagandist use of forgery: invented pasts are an effective tool for those in power as well as those who fight to bring about political and social change. In this course we will study both types of forgers and their use of history as a propagandist tool as well as the political, social and cultural impact of their fabrications.
Course Objectives
Knowledge:
Give definitions of the various genres of forgery and describe their dynamics
Give an overview of historical forgery and its impact from 1600 onwards
Know the main purposes of historical forgery and the main discourses it has engaged with between 1600 and now
Give an account of the various ways in which historical forgery reflects changing perceptions and practices of history.
Skills:
Recognize the main rhetorical strategies employed by forgers
Know which questions to ask when confronted with a suspected forgery and how to look for answers
Use historical forgeries effectively as source materials for historical research.
Timetable
Timetables for courses offered at Leiden University College in 2024-2025 will be published on this page of the e-Prospectus.
Mode of instruction
Interactive seminars (two per week), including a Special Collections workshop at the University Library in Leiden. The course also includes a guest lecture by Prof.dr. Remco Breuker (Korean Studies, Leiden University) about historical forgery in South Korea.
Assessment Method
Fake news assignment (25%, week 4) - please note that even though this is a team assignment, students will be graded individually.
Take-home exam (30%, week 6)
Research assignment (30%, week 9)
Participation (15%, in-class participation, ongoing weeks 1-8)
Please note that all assignments need to be submitted in order to pass the course and that penalties will apply to work that is handed in after the deadline. Corrupted files do not count as submissions – if I cannot open a file, the assignment will be considered as still outstanding and penalties will be applied according to the rules described in the syllabus.
Reading list
A detailed reading list will be given before the start of the course. The course will not require you to buy any books: all materials will be available via Leiden University Library’s digital catalogue.
Registration
Courses offered at Leiden University College (LUC) are usually only open to LUC students and LUC exchange students. Leiden University students who participate in one of the university’s Honours tracks or programmes may register for one LUC course, if availability permits. Registration is coordinated by the Education Coordinator, course.administration@luc.leidenuniv.nl.
Contact
Dr. Jacqueline Hylkema, j.j.hylkema@luc.leidenuniv.nl
Remarks
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