Research Training Seminar
Date: 23-24 September 2010
Place: University of Southern Denmark, Odense (two hours by train from Copenhagen Airport)
Seminar description
“History is past politics; politics is present history”. For many years, this statement by Sir John Seeley
represented everything that was wrong with the “traditional paradigm”. Historians had to go beyond politics.
However, the historical study of politics survived, and in recent years, many historians have sought not to
overcome the study of politics, but to have it expanded. The German trend towards a “new political history”
(neue Politikgeschichte) seems especially worth mentioning.
With this seminar, we invite Ph.D.-students as well as senior scholars to discuss theoretical perspectives for
the study of political history in the 21st century. We will explore the nature and history of the concept of
politics; the role of concepts, discourses and rhetoric in political processes; the study of politics from a
cultural perspective; and we will confront the consequences of transnational perspectives for the field of
political history. In addition to four keynote lectures, there will be two sessions open for Ph.D. presentations
of ongoing work on a relevant topic. In case you have a proposal for a presentation, please let us know as
soon as possible. The Danish Research School in History will issue a diploma (4 ECTS) for such
presentations (2,5 ECTS for participation without presentation). The seminar is an open event with no
seminar fee. The organisers will arrange for lunch on both days of the seminar as well as a seminar dinner
(please register), and the convenors can assist with practical matters regarding accommodation.
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