Rev-Left History Seminars

[Invader Zim]

It seems that we, on Rev-left, tend to approach history in a rather disorganised fashion. We have a disproportionately large number of threads on modern history and various individuals and topics come up time and time again. So I propose some kind of seminar system, where once a week a person is invited to give a short paper on a pre- arranged topic, in which people can then ask questions, raise issues, etc.

Obviously this idea is very much in need of padding out, but what do you guys think?

[blabla]

I can't speak for everyone but who has time to write a paper? I sure don't have the time.

Questions only sessions then. And answer them with links to Chomsky, William Blum, Parenti, etc.

[Invader Zim]

Well, i actually write something in the region of 200,000 words on history a year for my course... :p but your right, not everyone has as much time.

[RedAnarchist]

It sounds like a good idea but you definately need something shorter than a paper.

[Cryotank Screams]

I like the idea but I think it would probably work best as a 'sticky' thread.

[luxemburg89]

I think this is a pretty nice idea but pretty pointless - threads pop up here when necessary and relevant - most of the time members can just look up whatever aspect of history they want on the internet; though I do, of course, recognise the probable liberal/bourgeois bias that the majority of the internet carries. If people are up for it, why not? How do we decide who gets to do the article each week though - voting in the History forum or just nomination?

[chimx]

I think this is a great idea and have thought about suggesting something like this in the past. How about we compile a list of history topics Revlefters feel comfortable giving a seminar on, and we then from there week by week?

I can give pretty detailed seminars on modern Korea: Kwangju Uprising, Korean War, and to some extent, the early Korean communist movement that dated back to the 1920s.

I feel competent enough to go over the Russian Revolution and France during the Franco-Prussian war, but I imagine other revlefters are more informed than myself on these topics.

--

I think it would be wise to emphasize that the first post be very concise, and have questions/discussions drive the bulk of the thread. Excessively long posts tend to be thread-killers.

[Cryotank Screams]

I can give pretty detailed seminars on modern Korea: Kwangju Uprising, Korean War, and to some extent, the early Korean communist movement that dated back to the 1920s.

I would be very interested in hearing about this. I would also be interested in hearing about Africa (past and present) if someone here were knowledgeable about that too.

[Black Dagger]

It seems that we, on Rev-left, tend to approach history in a rather disorganised fashion. We have a disproportionately large number of threads on modern history and various individuals and topics come up time and time again.

This is true (and unfortunate); but it seems as if the majority of people on this site have little interest in history that moves beyond said individuals/topics? For most (it seems), 'history' (or at least worthwhile history) is limited to discussions about political ideologies, figures, movements etc. (and a limited number of these as well).

Perhaps a useful starting point for History seminars would be a discussion on the nature of history itself? Something similar to the debate, 'history as a literary genre vs. history as a science' which took place recently? IMO that debate clearly showed a lack of knowledge in regards to history theory on the board (undoubtedly because history theory, at least in Oz, is basically absent from the highschool curriculum); with many respondents expressing quite conservative/orthodox conceptions of history (tied closely to 19th political frameworks).

[Invader Zim]

It sounds like a good idea but you definately need something shorter than a paper.

Well when I say paper, I am not talking about an academic paper which takes 45 minutes to read to an audience. But more in the lines of an article. I take the point though, not only do most people not have time to write a lengthy paper, but if it is too long most wont read it. Perhaps we could lay down some guide lines and suggest a voluntary recommended word limit.


voting in the History forum or just nomination?Well, this idea is very much in its embryonic stages, so if you have an idea how we should handle that aspect so what would you prefer?


How about we compile a list of history topics Revlefters feel comfortable giving a seminar on, and we then from there week by week?Yeah, that is kind of along the lines I was thinking. but I was also thinking of a list of topics people want to know about, maybe for school, general interest, or whatever and then people volunteer to give a paper.



I can give pretty detailed seminars on modern Korea: Kwangju Uprising, Korean War, and to some extent, the early Korean communist movement that dated back to the 1920s.Then we have a seminar.



I think it would be wise to emphasize that the first post be very concise, and have questions/discussions drive the bulk of the thread. Excessively long posts tend to be thread-killers.For sure.


Perhaps a useful starting point for History seminars would be a discussion on the nature of history itself? Something similar to the debate, 'history as a literary genre vs. history as a science' which took place recently? IMO that debate clearly showed a lack of knowledge in regards to history theory on the board (undoubtedly because history theory, at least in Oz, is basically absent from the highschool curriculum); with many respondents expressing quite conservative/orthodox conceptions of history (tied closely to 19th political frameworks).Well, Luis and I debated that, and I think beneficially from the purposes of an audience not too familiar with the subject if not for each other, at length. I think that perhaps for the opening seminar, Luis be invited to give his ideas and then to following week, do you fancy giving your position, if you feel comftable with the idea?

But right now if anyone fancies giving a paper on a subject, please post the topic; and i will get reading so that hopefully I will be able to come up with some questions which aren't totally stupid.

[chimx]

Then we have a seminar.

I have actually given a seminar at a history conference dealing with Kwangju, and I could write something up to make it more focused for revleft, but I would prefer to see a bit more input here before I do.

[Invader Zim]

I have actually given a seminar at a history conference dealing with Kwangju, and I could write something up to make it more focused for revleft, but I would prefer to see a bit more input here before I do.

What kind of input?

Incidentally, when you were thinking about this kind of idea for Rev-left before, did you come up with any ideas regarding length of each paper, etc? Or any kind of organisational structure? I was thinking along the lines of between 500-1000 words (not to short as to be impossible, but not too long as to be unreadable).

[chimx]

Whether there will be people interested in participating beyond yourself and Cryotank Screams was my main concern.

1000 page cap is about 4 pages I believe and should be a good intro to most topics, at least to start discussion. I hadn't really thought of it beyond making the suggestion that many of us are specialized in one topic or another and to have more a structured and guided discussion with a facilitator -- rather than the usual free-for-all discussions. Essentially encourage a more "academic" setting.

[ComradeRed]

Just a few words about the structure of this "seminar paper" idea. Unless you are going to write a pdf, and have people print it out, writing it in the stale academic fashion just doesn't seem to work with the forum format.

I think perhaps a better way to go would be to have a slight variation, or perhaps fusion, of the academic aspects needed (e.g. an abstract, and citations) with the format necessary for it to be readable on an internet forum.

That's just my two cents...because there is a place for the academic writing style, and the internet is not particularly well suited for it.

[Invader Zim]

I agree, I don't thnk we need abstracts (not that you would have one for a seminar) or the full formality of academia. I was hoping as much for pre-uni people, who haven't necessarily been introduced to this overblown academic style, adding their input as I was for others, who have done the whole history grad thing.

As for footnotes, well I think they ae useful, and not so hard to add. Personally, should we get this idea going, any contribution I make will employ footnotes, simply because it is the most easy method of providing reads with your sources, or information which isn't necessarily best placed in the main body of text.

[chimx]

Well if people are interested in discussing it, I could write something on the Kwangju Uprising -- or if there are other areas of Korean history they would like to see discussed I could try to tackle them as well.

Zim: what are your areas of specialty in history?

[Invader Zim]

Well if people are interested in discussing it, I could write something on the Kwangju Uprising -- or if there are other areas of Korean history they would like to see discussed I could try to tackle them as well.

Zim: what are your areas of specialty in history?

As an ndergrad I attempted to pick modules as unalike as I possibly could, so I have done everything from Celtic Britain to the late Medieval Church to the Nazi regime. However my specialisation is in 18th century Atlantic history; I'm currently doing my dissertation on abolitionism. So I guess that would probably be my most useful contribution.

[darktidus]

I'm a history student who'd be very much interested, if that helps.

[Comrade Wolfie's Very Nearly Banned Adventures]

I'm a history student (and Archaeology student) so ill take ancient history

weeeeeeeeeeeeeeee men in skirts

[Invader Zim]

Well, thanks everyone whohas volunteered, but I don't think the idea has enough of a responce from the board in general to really get it off the ground; maybe it'll do better in the future?

[Black Dagger]

Yeah like when i've finished my honours thesis :p

[Comrade Wolfie's Very Nearly Banned Adventures]

Well, thanks everyone whohas volunteered, but I don't think the idea has enough of a responce from the board in general to really get it off the ground; maybe it'll do better in the future?

Pfft you sold out

[Invader Zim]

Pfft you sold out

Yep, back in 1991.


Yeah like when i've finished my honours thesis

10,000-15,000 words?

Three weeks then.