Monday, March 23, 2015

Emergent Paradigms: Current Issues and Debates in Cultural Legal Studies

[Via H-Law, we have the following announcement for the 6th International Osnabrueck Summer Institute (OSI) on the Cultural Study of the Law.]

Emergent Paradigms: Current Issues and Debates in Cultural Legal Studies

The sixth International Osnabrueck Summer Institute on the Cultural Study of the Law will be held from August 3 to 9, 2015 at the University of Osnabrueck, Germany. It aims to encourage and further promote the interdisciplinary study and research of the interrelations between law and culture, based on the idea that the extended cultural study of the law will foster profitable scholarly exchange and dialogue between legal studies and the humanities.

The Institute will offer a combination of thematic workshop sessions, small group seminars and a final symposium for 15-20 international participants (doctoral, post-doctoral and advanced M.A. – see below for eligibility). The introductory workshop will address the range and potential of interdisciplinary studies and approaches in field of law and the humanities. The remaining thematic sessions and small group seminars will focus on key issues and debates in current cultural legal studies, for example:

* The tripartite relationship between culture, cultural rights, and the nation state

* The historical emergence of dominant (legal) concepts of property as well as current struggles about culture as heritage, property and resource for creativity (including concepts such as copyright, intellectual property and authorship)

* The cultural presence and representation of the law and the role of culture in the representation and dissemination of the concept of rights (e.g. law and literature, life writing and human rights, visual culture and rights rhetoric)

The main objective of the Institute is the encouragement of scholarly exchange across disciplines and the critical debate of current research projects and work in progress. Participants will have the opportunity to present and discuss their own work both within the larger group and in individual sessions with members of the OSI faculty.

Faculty for the 2015 OSI include Stephen Best (Berkeley, English); Cristina S. Martinez (Ottawa, Visual Arts); Richard Perry (CSU San José /Berkeley Law); Leti Volpp (Berkeley Law); Martin Zeilinger (Toronto, OCAD).

In addition, the OSI will feature a professional workshop presenting and discussing scholarship and grant opportunities for young international researchers sponsored by the EU and the German Academic Exchange Service.

The Summer Institute invites doctoral and postdoctoral students from various academic fields whose research interests and projects are situated at the interface between law and the humanities and who are concerned with a better understanding of the interdependence of law and culture.

Doctoral candidates in literature, the law, the arts, the humanities, and the related social sciences are encouraged to apply, as are advanced students pursuing a J.D. or its equivalent (such as the L.L.B). Young scholars or junior faculty members who have received a Ph.D. or corresponding degree in the last five years are also eligible. While applications by doctoral/post-doctoral students are prioritized, the Summer Institute will also consider strong applications from advanced Master students about to conclude their studies and with a strong interest in interdisciplinary research. There are openings for 15-20 students to participate in the Summer Institute.

Due to its international audience, the Summer Institute will be completely conducted in English. Please note: The OSI does not offer language instruction classes, either in German or in English.

Applicants should complete:
* The application form on our website (see below);
* An up-to-date curriculum vitae.
* A statement of purpose no more than two pages long, describing current scholarly interests, previous research, and how the Summer Institute would specifically further their interests and plans. Applicants are also encouraged to comment on their specific interest in interdisciplinary approaches and how these affect their own work.

Students interested in taking part in the Summer Institute should submit their applications no later than April 15, 2015. Detailed and updated information about the Institute, the sessions, international faculty, admission and fees can be found here.

Please direct all inquiries and questions to the OSI coordinator: lawandculture@uos.de