Call for Papers: Darkness and Illumination: the Pursuit of Knowledge in the Medieval and Early Modern World (Durham, 15-17 July 2015)

Medieval and Early Modern Student Association, Durham University

Ninth Annual Postgraduate Conference

15-17^th July 2015

“Darkness and Illumination: the Pursuit of Knowledge in the Medieval and Early Modern World”

The pursuit of knowledge has had an essential and constant influence upon the shaping of society. The means of its acquisition, interpretation, and dissemination informs the way in which people interact with the world around them, forming religious and cultural identities, scientific knowledge and gender roles among other things. This was as much true in the past as it is today.

This year’s Medieval and Early Modern Student Association conference will focus upon aspects of knowledge, learning, and control over information in the medieval and early modern periods and in doing so broaden perspectives not just about how people perceived their world, but also how they interpreted the past and the idea of progress.

We welcome abstract from postgraduates and early career researchers on all aspects of this topic in medieval and early modern archaeology, history, literature, theology, art, music, and culture. Presentation topics may include, but are not limited to:

• The ‘myths’ of the Dark Ages and the Renaissance
• The limits of archaeological, literary, and historical evidence
• The creation of the ‘primitive’ past
• Ideas of spiritual progression and improvement
• The growth of networks of learning
• Historical characterisations of race
• Scientific knowledge and discovery
• The expansion of the known and unknown world
• Gendered control of knowledge
• Urban and rural centres of learning
• Heretics, mystics, and conflicts over belief
• Publication, translation, and the availability of texts
• Artistic, musical, and cultural innovation

Postgraduate and postdoctoral students are welcome to apply for presentations. In addition to the panels, the conference will offer two keynote addresses (TBA). Tours of Durham Cathedral and Castle as well as a visit to Durham Museum and Heritage Centre are scheduled for any interested delegates.

Please send abstracts of 200-300 words to memsaconference2015@gmail.com for papers no longer than 20 minutes by Friday 17^th April 2015.

For more information, please visit our blog, website, or sponsor’s pages:

durhammemsa.wordpress.com * dur.ac.uk/imems/memsa * dur.ac.uk/imems

Arranged with the support of Durham University’s Institute of Medieval and Early Modern Studies