Summer University: New approaches to the two World Wars

Attendees: Doctoral and Master’s Students

Description:

In the last two decades, war and conflict studies have been, together with global and environmental history, the fastest growing areas in the field of historiography. This interest has also had a deep impact on the understanding of the two World Wars. This Summer University will offer an overview of the latest research in the fields of the economic, social, cultural and military history of the two World Wars. It will bring together Doctoral and Masters’ level students from all around Europe to discuss their work with some of the world leading experts in the fields; Stéphane Audoin-Rouzeau, Peter Gray, Rainer Hudemann, Julian Jackson, Alan Kramer, Gerd Krumeich, Rana Mitter, Philippe Nivet, Richard Overy, Gary Sheffield, Georges-Henri Soutou, Olivier Wieviorka and Jay Winter. Key note speeches will introduce existing major debates in each field. They will alternate with workshops, which will give the students the opportunity to briefly present their own work and discuss it with at least two experts in their field.

The time spent in serious study will be rounded up by guided tours to the famous First and Second World War sites of North-eastern France such as La Boisselle, Thiepval or the Coupole d’Helfaut à St. Omer.

Round-table discussions with the media involved in the knowledge transfer of the two World Wars will complete the Summer University.

The participants’ expenses will be covered, apart from a 50 EUR inscription fee, due after the selection process.

Entrance requirements:

Attendance will be via selection process. Please submit a CV and a short description of your research project (max. 400 words). Research topics on the First and/or Second World War(s) should fit within one or more of the following areas:

• History of memory
• Cultural history of warfare
• Operational history
• History of violence/History of war crimes
• Economic history of the World Wars
• Comparative history of wartime occupation
• Global history of the World Wars

Students with a comparative approach that focuses on both the First and Second World Wars are particularly encouraged to apply.

Official languages of the Summer University: English, French and German

Selected candidates are expected to present their ongoing research during the Summer University. In order to provide a basis for discussion, successful applicants will need to submit a written summary of their research project (12 pages, with 1.5 line spacing, fond: size 12, in either English or French) by 1 June 2012. A publication of the papers is planned.

Applications:

Please send all applications in digital format (one pdf file only) by 15th April 2012 to: summerschool2012..a..dhi-paris.fr

If you have any queries, please contact Steffen Prauser (sprauser..a..dhi-paris.fr), Arndt Weinrich (aweinrich..a..dhi-paris.fr) or Olivier Forcade (Olivier.forcade..a..paris-sorbonne.fr).

Institut Historique Allemand à Paris / Université Paris Sorbonne / Université franco-allemande.