History of Emotions: Grasping Perceptions, Thinking Subjectivities

Jacques Dehouck Announcement
Location
Quebec, Canada
Subject Fields
Anthropology, Art, Art History & Visual Studies, Cultural History / Studies, Psychology, Research and Methodology

 

 

XXVth International Interdisciplinary Colloquium of the University of Montreal’s Department of History Graduate Students’ Association (AÉDDHUM)


History of Emotions: Grasping Perceptions, Thinking Subjectivities

 

14-15-16 March 2018

 

In recent years, the emergence of the history of emotions has attracted a great deal of interest from scholars in the humanities. Drawing on notions from the disciplines of sociology, psychology, anthropology and neuroscience, this field of study observes and qualifies emotional fluctuations and the spaces in which they are expressed. Over time, emotions invent and reinvent themselves, vary, and are expressed with more or less intensity and freedom. Many scholars apprehend emotions as tributaries of a multitude of "emotional regimes"[1]. From a methodological and epistemological point of view, the historian must be guided by his or her humility and admit to the influence of personal emotions in research. For these reasons amongst others, it becomes necessary for researchers from all disciplines (philosophy, political science, visual arts, anthropology, sociology, history, etc.) to perfect their understanding of the emotions associated to the past as well as be able to criticize the role of current emotions.

 

The organizing committee wishes to create a core space for discussion, reflection and criticism around the analysis of the theme of emotions in research. How do faith, ideology, "race", class and gender influence the expression of emotions? Do emotional markers vary from one society to another (throughout space and time)? Do emotions have a conscious or an unconscious impact on human action in society? Should scholars worry about some forms of emotional manipulation? How should emotions be perceived in the infinite multitude of our sources (whether written, spoken, filmed, recorded, drawn, etc.)? Should researchers, sometimes also as witnesses, have to silence their emotions in order to discuss their topic of interest? What is the affective commitment of researchers to their witnesses? Do our perceptions and subjectivities alter our work, and if so, how?

 

Possible topics for proposals include but are not limited to:

 

• Exploring emotions and their perceptions across time and space.

• Observing the manifestation of emotions throughout primary sources and art.

• Thinking about the researcher and his emotions in terms of retrospection and subjectivity; the emotional connection between the researcher and his/her sources.

 

The list of topics proposed is not exhaustive; this conference is open to receive all proposals related to the study of emotions.

 

Young graduate researchers from any discipline whose work focuses on this theme are invited to contribute to the XXVth International Interdisciplinary Colloquium of the University of Montreal’s Department of History Graduate Students’ Association. Participation to this colloquium offers a valuable opportunity to present your research, interact with other scholars and professors but also to eventually publish your results.

 

Please submit  your proposal in either English or French (250 words maximum) before January 22, 2018 at midnight, to: xxv.colloque.aeddhum@gmail.com with a copy to jacques.dehouck@gmail.com. Applicants must also provide their first and last name, institutional affiliation and an estimate of travel costs, if financial assistance is required.

 

[1] Reddy, William M. The Navigation of Feeling: A Framework for the History of Emotions, New York, Cambridge University Press, 2001, 380 p.

Contact Information

Please submit  your proposal or panel in either English or French (250 words maximum) before January 22, 2018 at midnight, to: xxv.colloque.aeddhum@gmail.com with a copy to jacques.dehouck@gmail.com. Applicants must also provide their first and last name, institutional affiliation and an estimate of travel costs, if financial assistance is required.

Contact Email
xxv.colloque.aeddhum@gmail.com