PV2B201 From the source to the written text II.New trends in hist.methodology and their appl.in research II

Faculty of Arts
Spring 2025
Extent and Intensity
0/2/0. 5 credit(s). Type of Completion: z (credit).
In-person direct teaching
Teacher(s)
Dr. phil. Klára Hübnerová (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
Dr. phil. Klára Hübnerová
Department of Auxiliary Historical Sciences and Archive Studies – Faculty of Arts
Contact Person: Olga Barová
Supplier department: Department of Auxiliary Historical Sciences and Archive Studies – Faculty of Arts
Prerequisites
Designed for advanced students linked to the master's degree. The prerequisites are the ability to critique sources and read foreign-language (German, English) methodology literature.
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
The capacity limit for the course is 4 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/4, only registered: 0/4, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 0/4
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
Today's discussions on the truthfulness of facts and the point of their scientific, rational interpretation relates to a series of questions which historians have been occupied with since the time of Herodotus: where are the boundaries for the critique of sources and how does methodology help us to make up for gaps in the material? Does a 'historical methodology' in fact exist? Why do we write the way we write? What is scientific work based on and how best can it be applied? The uncertainty and dynamics of historical work will be examined from a theoretical and practical perspective. The first part will provide an overview of the methodological trends in historical research today. Many of these emerged in the second half of the 20th century, i.e. the theory of social networks, communication, representation, performance and propaganda, historical semantics and the ´linguistic turn´, or the new cultural and social developments influenced by various approaches (gender and queer studies, cultural history of politics). It will also include influences from related disciplines, the most important being sociology, art history, information science, archaeology and psychology. We will examine the ideas of theoreticians such as Max Weber, František Graus, Pierre Bourdieu, Michel Foucault, Judith Butler, Wolfgang Reinhard, Ludwik Fleck, Barbara Stollberg-Rillinger, Michael Clanchy, Samuel Huntington and Umberto Eco. The basis will be Czech, German and English theoretical texts which will be discussed as part of the seminar. The second part of the course focuses on practical work with history methodology. This will mainly involve students applying these methodologies on their own historical research. The year-long course is designed for advanced students at master's or doctorate level. The prerequisites are an ability to critique sources, read foreign-language (German and English) methodological literature, and be willing to reflect on what has been read.
Learning outcomes
Students will be able to build on their knowledge from the previous course (Methodology I), which mainly critiques historical-methodological material . In addition to broadening their specialist knowledge, their oral argumentative skills will also be improved at extensive discussions as part of the seminars and critical study of texts. Another objective is to practise their knowledge of specialist vocabulary in a foreign language (German, English and French).
Syllabus
  • Block 3: 'Man' – it has a proud ring!: Anthropocentrism and Androcentrism - the question of social classes, social capital, theory of social networks (Wolfgang Reinhard, Pierre Bourdieu) - social categories 'gender', 'queer', a history of minorities (Judith Butler, Michel Foucault) - A new perspective on culture: a cultural history of politics and its rituals (Barbara Stollberg-Rillinger) - identity, alterity - Microhistory: Psychohistory, a history of mentalities
  • Block 4: Controversy - the clash of civilizations and the end of history (Samuel Huntington – Francis Fukuyama) - The problem and trap of historical revisionism (Jürgen Habermass) - 'fake news'
Literature
  • BOURDIEU, Pierre. Nadvláda mužů. Edited by Miloslav Petrusek, Translated by Věra Dvořáková. Vyd. 1. V Praze: Univerzita Karlova v Praze, nakladatelství Karolinum, 2000, 145 s. ISBN 8071847755. info
  • Michel Foucault; Řád diskurzu, in: Diskurz, Autor, Genealogie, Praha 1994, s. 7-39.
  • Michel Foucault; Gouvernementalität, in: Daniel Defert, Francois Ewald et. al (ed.), Analytik der Macht, Farnkfurt a. M. 2005, s. 148-174.
Teaching methods
Text analysis, active discussion, short oral presentations at the seminars.
Assessment methods
Credit based on active participation in the seminars, a final "workshop" on a previously agreed topic (methodological issues from students’ own work, sources).
Language of instruction
Czech
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
The course is taught: every week.
General note: Předmět je určen studentům navazujícího magisterského studia pomocných věd historických, archivnictví a historie.
Information on course enrolment limitations: Pouze pro studenty navazujícího magisterského studia pomocných věd historických, archivnictví a historie.
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2020, Spring 2021, Spring 2022, Spring 2024.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2025, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/phil/spring2025/PV2B201