history of activism: introduction

Graduate Student Conference
history of activism u history as activism
April 5-6, 2002, at Columbia University

u Introduction

In the 1970s, social historians - many with roots in activist movements of the 1960s - dramatically transformed the focus and function of the discipline. They turned their studies to those most historically invisible, and disregarded the notion of historical objectivity. This graduate conference will focus on three different yet interrelated aspects of the relationship between history and activism:

1. Histories of activist groups, individuals, or causes from all time periods and geographic locations are welcome.

2. History as activism may consider how the work of the professional historian is activist, including theories of and methods for teaching, writing, and mentoring.

3. Activists are welcome to submit papers on the use and relevancy of history to their work, especially considering how historians can make their work more relevant and accessible to activists.

We are very happy to announce that we have received dozens of proposals from historians working not only on Europe and the Americas, but also on Asia, Africa, and Australia, in any historical period - including ancient, pre-modern, early modern and modern times.

Email: activismc@hotmail.com

Department of History (Activism Conference)
Mail Code 2527
611 Fayerweather Hall
Columbia University
New York, NY 10027

history of activism u history as activism