Degree Course on knowledge production at the University of Tartu on December 9-10, 2011
"Analysis of knowledge production in the context of (national) heritage scholarship"
Degree Course of the Estonian Graduate School of Culture Studies and Arts (GSCSA)
Organized by the University of Tartu; Estonian Graduate School of Culture Studies and Arts; ESF Grant "Analysis of Knowledge Production in the Context of (National) Heritage Scholarship"; Centre of Excellence in Cultural Theory (CECT)
2 ECTS credits
The seminar on knowledge production proposes to look at sources and practices of ’knowledge production’ that could be largely termed as cultural heritage studies. This inquiry proceeds from a reflexive investigation of disciplinary histories of scholarship embedded in and shaping the nation-building processes (e.g. ethnology, history, literature, etc). The making of archives and museums, the formation of depositories for past repertories, and for records of past cultural practices or artefacts – all backed by the establishment of relevant academic programmes – has inherently served the purpose of creating a national cultural heritage.
With a view of unraveling the institutionalization and social dissemination of scholarly knowledge, we propose to explore the politics of institutions, the knowledge legacies of seminal figures in the field and the identification of their object of research from a historical perspective and in relevant socio-political context, while taking into account particular rhetoric and political contingencies. The study of knowledge making practices in cultural research sheds light on disciplinary histories, the authoritative positions created, and the establishment of institutionalized knowledge format.
The aim of this event is an interdisciplinary discussion of current research methodologies, the enhancement of international cooperation in scholarship, and the involvement of young researchers or graduate students in an academic exchange of ideas that would go beyond the usual conference or lecture outline. The participants will include nine established scholars and twenty doctoral students.
The scholars participating at the seminar and their topics of interest are following:
Prof. Simon Knell (University of Leicester) "Approaching the object"
Prof. Kristin Kuutma (University of Tartu) "Knowledge production and ethnographic representation"
Prof. Stefan Berger (University of Bochum/University of Manchester) "National archives, national museums and national histories in nineteenth and twentieth century Europe"
Dr. Marek Tamm (Tallinn University) "Afterlife of events: How past becomes historical?"
Prof. Dr. Regina Bendix (Georg-August-Universität Göttingen) "One language, three research cultures: German language Volkskunde after 1945"
Dr. Mikaela Fenske (Georg-August-Universität Göttingen) "Narrating region, narrating nation"
Dr. Monika Baar (University of Groningen) – the role of academies, learned and literary societies in the foundation and institutionalization of the national heritage
Dr. Pertti Anttonen (University of Helsinki) "Tradition and heritage as lists and catalogues"
Dr. Ergo-Hart Västrik (University of Tartu) "Folklore archives and political change"
Organization
The graduate school program consists of academic presentations and discussions.
The seminar will be carried out in 4 sessions. Each session will include about 3 presentations of 20 minutes with a longer discussion to follow, where the main discussants are expected to be the presenters themselves.
Key topics:
1. nationalism and ethnographic studies
2. nationalism and history (historical records)
3. heritage and literature (literary works)
4. knowledge production and heritage (conceptualization of heritage)
The essence of the session will be discussion. Each lecturer chooses 1-2 relevant articles/chapters for student assignment.
Students are proposed to give a 10 minute talk on their research topic or write a reflection (1500-2500 words) on the seminar by December 29. Student presentations are chosen by the organizers via abstracts sent for application and assigned to a matching session.
Requirements for participation
Interested graduate students should send an abstract (500-600 words) related to the key topics of the seminar by November 5, 2011. Students who are not members of GSCSA are required to add a short CV to specify their education and research interests.
E-mail address: ktkdk@ut.ee This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
You will be notified of the acceptance of your contribution by November 12, 2011. The literature of the seminar will be available by that time.
Seminar venue and practical side
Graduate seminar takes place in Tartu: Zaal, Raekoja square 10, III floor.
The language of the course is English. Participation at the seminar will be free of charge for the confirmed participants (this includes accommodation, food). More information about accommodation choices will be provided for the participants.
Programme director: Kristin Kuutma
Seminar assistant: Monika Tasa
Student coordinator: Helen Kästik, ktkdk@ut.ee This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Seminar is supported by the European Social Fund (GSCSA), European Regional Fund (CECT), European Science Foundation (ETF Grant No. 7795).
