The Workshop of Historical Semantics provides a forum for students and faculty to
present ongoing research in the field of historical semantics
and the history of knowledge. In recent decades, historical
semantics has become an increasingly influential research
program in the German context. Ambitious lexical projects and
numerous monographs have generated intense debate among
literary critics, sociologists, and historians.
Under the
influence of the cultural turn in the humanities, the field of
historical semantics has transformed itself from a more
traditional study of the history of concepts
(Begriffsgeschichte) into the study of semantic fields and
figures (i.e., tropes of knowledge, modes of expression,
narrative). In this sense, a revised historical semantics can
be understood to include a whole range of aesthetic practices.
This new understanding of historical semantics is particularly
suited to a wide range of research programs within and beyond
the field of literary studies.
Our workshop aims to provide a
collaborative atmosphere for the discussion of focused
theoretical questions within the context of a variety of
disciplinary approaches.
The Workshop of Historical Semantics usually meets every other Tuesday, 6-8 pm in Wieboldt 206.
Please join us for upcoming exciting workshops with:
TBA (April 29, 2008)
TBA (May 13, 2008)
Yvonne Wübben,
Freie Universität Berlin (May 27, 2008)
Preparatory readings can be obtained from the Department of Germanic Studies, Classics 25F.
For further information, please see the workshop's website or contact the workshop's coordinators, Dagmar Pfensig and Martin Baeumel.