International Research School in Conceptual History and Political Thought
Course dates 9-21 August 2015, University of Copenhagen
In the summer of 2015, Concepta, International Research School in Conceptual History and Political Thought, and partner institutions will organize the ninth Introduction to Conceptual History and Political Thought course (the course have previously been located at the University of Helsinki, Finland, and at Aarhus University, Denmark). An international team of distinguished scholars and visiting lecturers will help participants critically examine the chief concepts and thoughts in the humanities and social sciences from new perspectives. The goal is to illuminate the languages and arguments that are central to the operation of political and social life through the study of their migration, reception, translation, and diffusion through time and space. Analysis of concepts and thoughts involves looking at larger semantic, discursive, ideological and rhetorical settings in which they are given meaning and demands familiarity with a variety of linguistically oriented approaches to discourse and ideology, as well as to rhetoric.
The course has two main objectives. First, it introduces students to the fundamental aspects of the theory and methodology of conceptual history and political thought scholars such as Reinhart Koselleck, Quentin Skinner, John Pocock, and Michel Foucault), which they can then use as tools in their own research. Second, it explores contemporary trends in the field through case studies.
The course includes a series of lectures, a seminar and workshops. It is designed for Danish and international PhD and advanced Master’s degree students from various academic fields.
For further information please see the course website.