1 (afternoon)-2 July, 2014, University of Groningen National Research School for Medieval Studies
National Research School in Classical Studies : OIKOS

Project Description:
“Solidarity and Togetherness. Forms, ideals, rituals, rhetoric and institutions of community ethos” is part of a three-year collaborative project in the field of premodern studies, initiated by scholars at the Faculty of Art of the University of Groningen. It seeks to explore the concept of “Sustainable Citizenship: Origin, Shape and Practices of Civil Society and Civic Experiences in Premodern European Traditions”. It is the aim of this programme to investigate how the western history of civic experience can be employed to promote knowledge of and reflection on the role of the citizen in past and present societies. This Masterclass for Research Masters and Ph.D. students addresses broad research questions. We would like to challenge the participants to cross their disciplinary boundaries and chronological specialization. Together we want to explore historical experiments and organisations, but also rituals and ideals of togetherness, which forged bonds and thus solidarity at local, regional, national and transnational levels in past societies.

Aim:
We, premodern historians and literary scholars, are convinced that strategies developed in difficult times to adapt to and to learn from transformations, and to find sustainable alternatives to ensure a functioning community are no recent phenomenon. Studying the past – and in particular studying premodern societies – offers valuable insights and alternative solutions for the tackling of today’s problems. It provides us with an inventory of past experience in the coming into being of community spirit and an ethos of responsibility for the Common Good of society

Assignment:
Participants read four short articles, (two theoretical, two case studies). Before the Masterclass they sent a written essay to the organizers, (max. 4 pages) in which they express their view on the possibility of studying S & T with a relevance for present day problems. These essays end with four points of discussion (one for each speaker) which address the aims of our project.

We cordially invite participants from art history, law, literature, philosophy, religious studies and other relevant disciplines

Credit points: 1 ECTS

Information and registration: Cora Zwart M.A., c.w.zwart@rug.nl
Costs: € 30 (for coffee, lunch, dinner and excursion). We can help you to find accommodation.

Contributors:
Federico Botana (Queen Mary, University of London), “Works of Mercy in Late Medieval Italy”
Sabrina Corbellini (University of Groningen)
“Solidarity, Morality and Europe according to Jurgen Habermas”
Catrien Santing (University of Groningen)
“Larry Siedentop’s individual and the coming into being of Western Liberalism. Togetherness and the ideal of (moral) equality”
Michael Sommer (University of Oldenburg), “Social and political cohesion in the Roman Empire, vertical and horizontal“.

Source de l’information : Vlaamse Werkgroep Medievistiëk