Scotland is often presented in popular culture in images that claim to represent history and, often, which suggest that Scotland is fundamentally a place of the past even in the present. Nevertheless, Scotland has a history of change and a presence in which new possibilities for the future, including major changes in government, are widely discussed. Scottish history is still happening.

In this class, we will explore the history and culture of Scotland over the last few centuries, with particular attention to how Scottish writers, artists, politicians, businesses, environmental thinkers, activists, and people in general have made use of or revised inherited material or stories over time. Such inherited material includes the physical landscapes and seascapes of what is now Scotland and how they have been represented and understood. The interplay between past, present, and future is explored in art, literature (fiction, poetry, and drama), music, and film, but also in public debates like the 2014 Independence Referendum and ongoing Scottish political developments today.

Intended Audience:

All students are welcome, from as many different majors and colleges as possible.

Class Format:

Seminar