This course is a part of HF's PhD week.
Course content
Studying texts in context is an essential part of humanistic practice and competence. But what is a text, and what is context? And how do we establish the relations between them? The present course offers a hands-on approach to some of the most influential theoretical and methodological positions regarding the study of texts and context of the past 50 years. The course focuses specifically on the applicability of the theories, as practical methods in humanistic disciplines, attending to how theoretical framework and concrete theories stand in relation to epistemological problems in the humanities while also serving as specific methods for scholars. The course is of special relevance for PhD candidates working on texts from historical perspectives.
The candidates will engage in practical interpretative work, applying central theories from the linguistic turn, as well as concepts and perspectives such as gender, metaphor, and reception to different texts from different historical periods. On this basis, we will discuss the various theories in terms of their applicability as methods. We will work critically with questions of how the selected theoretical and methodological approaches can illuminate (or not) the study of texts in historical contexts. Through concrete examples of analysis and critical discussions of these examples, the objective of the course is to strengthen the PhD candidates’ interpretative skills, furnish them with more robust methodological tools, and heighten the quality of their analyses.
Curriculum
The curriculum consists of the eight articles/book chapters discussed in course 1, from semiotics, gender theory, book history, speech act theory, history of emotion, conceptual metaphor theory, discourse analysis and reception theory. Participants read all the theoretical/methodological articles/extracts on the reading list.
In course 2, the perspective changes from epistemological problems to the theories' operationalization and utility when developed as methods for practical research. Consequently, course 2 will function as an independent unit for candidates who want to work only on methodological issues. Nonetheless, experiencing the interconnectedness between theoretical-methodological approaches and specific epistemological problems will give increased learning outcome for candidates who take both courses.
A list of the curriculum can be downloaded here.
This is a 1 ECTS course.
Course preparations
All participants choose one theory (one only!) from the curriculum that they would like to work with. A list where participants can choose between texts will be made available in the course's Teams room. For candidates who have already completed course 1, it is advisable but not mandatory to continue working with the same theory. Each participant also picks a short source text (1-2 pages) of their own choosing, which will be analyzed by means of the tools offered by the curriculum text. The source text to be analyzed may be taken from the source material of the PhD's own project, or freely chosen. The aim of the exercise is to master methodological tools and to gain a better understanding of their relation to theory, therefore the choice of textual material is less important.
The source material and the choice of theory must be made known to the entire group in advance of the course. Participants will then prepare a short analytical paper (2-3 pages), with their source material as attachment, which will be submitted before the course begins and is to be read by all.
The seminar starts with a roundtable lead by the course holder(s) aiming at clarifying expectations in answer to the question "what do you understand by method in the humanities?" Each participant then presents her / his source analytical work, followed by a group discussion. The ensuing general discussion is led by the course holder(s), who will ensure that it keeps focus on methodological implications and issues (rather than the source material).
Follow-up
The analytical paper may be adjusted after the course before being submitted to the teacher(s) for final approval, deadline December 15.
Registration
Registration opens on September 20 at noon. Priority will be given to PhDs from the Faculty of Humanities. We ask that postdocs and PhDs from other Faculties at UiO, and other applicants, wait until 1 October to register. Registration closes when the course has reached its maximum number of participants.
Course conveners
Contact persons: Line Cecilie Engh (IFIKK) and Anne Birgitte Rønning (ILOS)