This course is meant to help (post)graduate students grasp the position of cultural history as a field in the humanities/social sciences. The course will offer an overview of the main concepts and theoretical approaches used in cultural history. Taking the approach of philosophy of science, it also includes attention to the application of several important theoretical perspectives, e.g. historical anthropology, postmodernism, postcolonialism, and Science and Technology Studies. Thus it underlines the importance of the cultural, linguistic, performative, bodily and material turns in (cultural) history. We will read theoretical texts and articles in which these theories are applied to themes from cultural history.
This course is primarily aimed at RMA students, but PhD candidates are welcome too. Each week one theoretical approach will be discussed, including essential concepts and criticism. Students will apply these theories and concepts to their own research projects if possible. Each session will last three hours: in the first part we will critically discuss the texts and the second part of the class will be devoted to exploring how students can work with these theories in their own research.
Course dates
- Thursday 13 November 2025, 13:00-17:00 (Drift 27, 0.72)
- Thursday 20 November 2025, 13:00-17:00 (ICU LOCKE – C0.6 – C)
- Thursday 27 November 2025, 13:00-17:00 (Drift 27, 0.72)
- Thursday 4 December 2025, 13:00-17:00 (Drift 27, 0.72)
- Thursday 11 December 2025, 13:00-17:00 (Drift 27, 0.72)
- Thursday 18 December 2025, 13:00-17:00 (ICU LOCKE – C0.6 – C)
Deadline final paper: 31 January 2026
Note: prospective members who have not yet been registered by their university can already sign up for courses.
Please make sure to mention this in the registration form.
