Welcome to the Social History Society

Theory and Methods

The cultural turn has transformed social historians’ approaches to the past over the last two decades. In particular, the shift towards thinking of social identities as cultural constructions and as reflective of a unique set of historical conditions has led both to new topics of academic study (such as gender, class, sexuality and race) and to new methodologies and theoretical frameworks, particularly relating to discourse, space and power.
It is now almost impossible, for instance, for social historians to consider the history of sexuality without the influence of Michel Foucault, identities without Pierre Bourdieu or the everyday without Michel de Certeau. In recent editions of Cultural and Social History, however, Carla Hesse and Peter Mandler have questioned the pervasive influence of the cultural turn and warned against the demise of more traditional social scientific methodologies. This strand, therefore, invites papers addressing the current relevance of cultural theory for social historians. In the first instance, we invite reflections upon the cultural turn’s impact on social history. What have been the benefits, and drawbacks, of cultural theory for the practice of social history? Secondly, we wish to encourage dialogue about what cultural theory is now and what it promises for historians over the next two decades. What kinds of cultural theory are best suited to the practice of social history and what might the application of such theory involve in methodological terms? Conversely, what might cultural theorists learn from closer collaboration with social historians? We invite lively and thoughtful papers from both historians and cultural theorists which aim to stimulate debates about the relationship between history and cultural theory.

Strand Convenors:

Charlotte Wildman: Charlotte.Wildman@manchester.ac.uk
James Mansell: James.mansell@nottingham.ac.uk

Enquiries about specific strands should be addressed to the relevant Strand Convenors.
For general enquiries about the conference, please contact Linda Persson, the Administrative Secretary: L.Persson@lancaster.ac.uk

Papers presented at the Conference can be submitted to the Society’s journal, Cultural and Social History, to be considered for publication. For details, see: http://www.socialhistory.gellius.net/Journal.php