Reading groups

The Centre is host to four postgraduate reading and discussion groups.

Cultural Memory Studies

Memory Studies is becoming a distinct discipline in the Academy. Work in memory is interdisciplinary by its nature and this group welcomes contributions from across the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. Although Memory is an individual psychological process, it relies entirely on cultural and social factors. Psychological schemata shape and contextualise memory, and social factors are often the trigger. We remember socially.

This group is a platform for inquiry into the place of memory in culture, with a particular emphasis on history, literature, and art. Drawing largely from Trauma Studies, we will discuss the ethical an aesthetic problems of representing memory, considering the role of the artist and the historian in creating a ‘collective memory.’ Issues we will cover include, but are not restricted to, ‘The Aesthetics of Traumatic Memory’, ‘Representing the Holocaust,’ and ‘The Memorial Site.’ In order to keep preparatory reading to a minimum, sessions will usually begin with presentations, followed by discussions of the material presented. Anyone wishing to present on any relevant topic is welcome to do so and should contact Sebastian Owen. All welcome.

Postcolonial Perspectives

Postcolonial Perspectives is an interdisciplinary postgraduate reading group that seeks to explore both old and new ways of thinking about the postcolonial. The reading group meets every three weeks to read and discuss critical theory, literary and historical texts, visual cultures, and a range of artefacts, from the culinary to the musical.

 

Using a collaborative, group-directed approach, Postcolonial Perspectives examines the crucial issues at stake in the theorization of postcoloniality as practiced by various disciplines. We aim to cover a broad range of themes, and topics that we have discussed so far include animals, museums, music, and the transnational. The group engages with a variety of media, with the aim ofopening up the largely uncharted territory that lies between our differingconceptualizations of the postcolonial, as well as examining more closely the points at which they intersect. As such, the reading group provides a great opportunity to broaden your understanding of a key critical field in the academy and beyond, as well as fostering links between postgraduates across the disciplinary divide(s).

If you have any suggestions or would like to be added to the email list, please get in touch with us at pocoperspectives@googlemail.com.

Complexity

CModS has made links with YCCSA - York's Centre for Complex Systems Analysis - in an effort to build intellectual links across the humanities and sciences, specifically in order to investigate Complex Systems as they pertain to Modern Studies with a view to exploring World Systems and other related ideas. 
 
As part of this process we are participating in the YCCSA Complexity reading group.  We are hoping to build up a home and away pattern to the reading group where we visit YCCSA and explore their set reading and they then visit CModS and explore a reading set by us.
 
If you are interesting in finding out more about complexity studies, in exploring potential overlaps between forms of systems analysis across the supposed divide between humanities subjects and the sciences, then do join us for the next reading group meeting. You would be very welcome.

19C

19C is an interdisciplinary group dedicated to exploring the nineteenth century. It provides a forum for nineteenth-centuryists and Victorianists at all research levels and in all subjects to meet and share research through reading groups, seminars, research trips and social events. 

To keep track of relevant events, ask questions, or make suggestions about what we can do next, join the 19C Facebook group or email us at 19creadinggroup@gmail.com.