This new faculty and graduate student-led discussion group addresses the political agendas, culture wars, and uses and abuses of history throughout the world in the past and present. We meet bimonthly in the Founders Memorial Library RBSC Reading Room (403) to discuss article-length works relevant to the topic in any aspect of world history. This session's readings include Vladimir Putin, “On the Historical Unity Between Russians and Ukrainians,” (2021) and two New York Times criticisms of his misuse of history.

All readings and other details are distributed via email prior to each meeting. Please contact Prof. Aaron Fogleman (aaronfogleman@niu.edu) of the NIU History Department or Assoc. Prof. Bradley Wiles (bwiles@niu.edu) from the NIU Libraries for more information, to be added to the distribution list, or to suggest future topics and readings.