Histories of Knowledge (HEC-AS-HISKNO-23)

HEC-AS-HISKNO-23

Description

The traditional distinctions between the history of science, the history of the social sciences and the humanities and intellectual history broadly speaking have been increasingly challenged in favor of a more comprehensive approach to different forms of knowledge without prejudice of their modes of legitimation and validity. This seminar will offer an opportunity to read and discuss critically some of the newest and most exciting works in the history of knowledge, cutting across disciplinary divides and genres. Each session will be devoted to engaging with one recent publication. Together, these works showcase a range of different approaches to historical writing and span subjects that include the politics of knowledge production, rules as a form of knowledge, racial and gender classification, twentieth-century liberalism, the uses of history, and the varieties of historical narrative.

Note that we will focus on a whole book most weeks, in part to reflect on what makes for successful sustained pieces of writing. However, in order to limit the weekly workload, seminar participants will be expected to read the introduction/conclusion and one chapter of their choice, to present on what they have read, and to engage with the presentations of their peers.