CFP: Interdisciplinarity and Pluralism: The Practice of Intellectual History and Conceptual History
3–5 September 2015, Institute of Intellectual History, University of St Andrews
A Civic Constellation II Workshop in Cooperation with St Andrews Institute of Intellectual History and Concepta: International Research School in Conceptual History and Political Thought
Over the last few decades, the aims and approaches for the study of the history of ideas have been under close scrutiny and constant redefinition. Either as part of a deliberate reflection or in the course of research on different topics, the meaning and goals of the history of ideas have been critically reviewed and questioned. As a result, the contours of the field remain fluid; plurality and interdisciplinarity are the most prominent features of both intellectual and conceptual history, the two most prominent branches of the history of ideas as currently practised.
Within intellectual history and conceptual history interdisciplinarity is frequently used as a catchword instead of a methodological engine of meaningful research. As such, the practice and contingency of interdisciplinarity in research and teaching challenge an otherwise sound theoretical justification of historical practice. From this perspective, some scholars have viewed the heterogeneity and diversity that define intellectual and conceptual history as weaknesses, and therefore as reasons to strengthen the frontiers between approaches and academic disciplines.
This workshop seeks to reflect on the role that interdisciplinarity and methodological pluralism play in the practice of intellectual and conceptual history, with the aim of intensifying the debate between them and exploring their relevance to the practice of other disciplines. Ultimately, this also opens up new paths for curricular innovation. Hence we welcome proposals addressing these issues either specifically or as part of broader research agendas in intellectual history and in conceptual history, from political theory and philosophy to international relations.
Keynote Speakers
Prof Kari Palonen (University of Jyväskylä)
Prof Richard Whatmore (University of St Andrews)
Organisers
The Civic Constellation II: Debating Democracy and Rights,
Institute of Intellectual History, University of St Andrews,
Concepta: International Research School in Conceptual History and Political Thought.
Convenors
Dr Rosario López, Universities of St Andrews and Málaga
(rl49@st-andrews.ac.uk)
Prof José María Rosales, University of Málaga (jmrosales@uma.es)
Deadline (titles and up to 150-word abstracts): 5 August 2015.
