dominic sachsenmaier global history. thinking globally about history terminological options world...
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Dominic Sachsenmaier
Global History
Thinking Globally About HistoryTerminological Options
• World History• Transnational History• International History• Histoire Croisee• Global History
• Definition of „global history“ - Through Term - Through Usage of Term
Global History - Facets
• Growing interest in bordercrossing themes
• Nation not as given container of the past
• Research on flows, exchanges & mutual reactions
• Beyond Area Studies• Critical of Eurocentrism
Global HistoryImportant Research Fields in the US
• History of Health and the Environment• Maritime History• History of International Organizations• Global Intellectual History• Cultural History
– Consumerism, Elite Culture, Faculty Club Culture• Economic History
– Eg history of Commodities • Social History
– New perspectives on migration• Globalizing National History
Global HistoryGlobal HistoryA Global Research Community?A Global Research Community?
International Hierarchies
Communication Gaps
Local Differences
Research Landscapes of Global HistoryFacets and Problems (I)
A Global Field?– Much global exchange of
concepts– Translations– Similar Methodologies
• Yet: Global History is not uniform &universal– Local Perspectives still matter –
Factors:• Intellectual Traditions• Department structures• Modes of Historical Memory• Funding sources
Hierarchies of KnowledgeHierarchies of Knowledge
Continued Dominance Continued Dominance Of Of
Anglo-AmericanAnglo-AmericanWorldWorld
Sociologies of KnowledgeSociologies of KnowledgeAre not GlobalAre not Global
For example: WesternFor example: WesternScholarship often IgnoresScholarship often Ignores
Chinese ResearchChinese Research
Chinese Research Cannot Ignore Western ScholarshipChinese Research Cannot Ignore Western Scholarship
Hierarchies of KnowledgeHierarchies of Knowledge
• Most Western Historians are Mono-Cultural by Training
• Not outside the West
• Global Historical Research Needs to Become More Balanced
• Necessity of Dialogical Approach
• Linking beyond Sophia
Global History in US Historiography
US History Departments: Area ExpertiseUS-Institutions
Western Europe
Eastern Europe
North America
Non-Western
US HistoriographyStructural and Conceptual Changes
Structural • Widening role of the
area studies – Motivated by global interests
• Pluralization of US campuses– Expansion of student and
faculty body – Growing diversity
• Influence of civil rights movement
Conceptual• Critiques of „white national
history“– Whose history?– Emphasis on minorities
• Pressure on world history– Against Eurocentrism& „Western civilization courses“
• Role of postmodernism – Doubts about concepts such
as „progress“ or „modernity“
US: Diversifying Student Body
Berkeley UniversityUndergraduate Student Body
1983 2007
White
Other
Duke UniversityStudent Body 1960 & 2008
1960 2008
US HistoriographyStructural and Conceptual Changes
Structural • Widening role of the
area studies – Motivated by global interests
• Pluralization of US campuses– Expansion of student and
faculty body – Growing diversity
• Influence of civil rights movement
Conceptual• Critiques of „white national
history“– Whose history?– Emphasis on minorities
• Pressure on world history– Against Eurocentrism& „Western civilization courses“
• Role of postmodernism – Doubts about concepts such
as „progress“ or „modernity“
German Historiography
German History DepartmentsArea Expertise
Western EuropeEastern EuropeNorth AmericaRest
Europe-Centered Historiography Continuities and Changes
Continuities - Factors• European historio-
graphical traditions• Western orientation
of postwar scholars• Primacy of national
problems• Few migrants among
faculty
Fields of Change• History of Migration • Colonial History
– Emphasis on agency• European History
– New global contexts• Collaboration with
the area studies– Foundation policies
Chinese HistoriographyArea Expertise
Key Facets of Global History in China
- Since early 20th century: high degree of global consciousness in Chinese historiography- World History and Chinese History were mainly
separated from each other- New orientations during past 20 years
- Influence of modernization paradigms- Emphasis on “Chinese Model”- Greater concern for global voice
- Academic transformations- Strong growth of university sector
Recent Developments in China
Conceptual• Strong role of
modernization paradigms
• Commitment to idea of a Chinese model
• Search for a Chinese view of world history
• Globalization as enhancement of nation
Entangled Factors• Intellectual politics &
personal experiences
• Desire for recognition• Professionalization of
academia• Changing global
academic landscapes• Growth of area studies
Global History, Globally? Potentials of Transnational Collaboration
• Sustained networks of collaboration
• New forms of interdisciplinary collaboration
• Dialogues with other professional realms
• Voice in emerging global/transnational public spheres
Teaching Global HistoryTeaching Global HistoryGeneral ObjectivesGeneral Objectives
Break Through Current Hierarchies of KnowledgeAwaken Interest for Different Intellectual PositionsEmphasize local specificities but avoid exocticizing areas such as ChinaMulti-Perspectivity and Self-Reflexivity