The Ends of History (HEC-RS-ENDHIS-23)

HEC-RS-ENDHIS-23

Description

Does history have an end? What role do endings play in our capacity to break down historical time into meaningful sequence? What do we mean by “periodization”? Why has the theme of the end become so popular as a form of historical narration? What is the relationship between historical account and story-telling? In this seminar, we will think about what historians do when they use the end as an interpretive device, from the notion of fin-de-siècle to the “end of history.” We will also ask how the current “polycrisis” and the prospects of climate meltdown impact our understanding of historical time. In doing so, we will address some of the most important themes of 20th century intellectual history and try to make sense of our present.