Call for Papers – Narrative & Nostalgia: The Crusades & American Civil War

Michel-Rolph Trouillot closed his 1995 Silencing the Past by reminding us that “History doesn’t belong only to its narrators, professional or amateur. While some of us debate what history is or was, others take it in their own hands.” This is nowhere more true than in two historical periods seldom in conversation – the 11th-century phenomenon called the Crusades, and the 19th-century American Civil War. Scholars across disciplines seek to clarify these periods among themselves, while popular audiences voraciously consume these and other retellings of the past, and others “take it in their own hands” by toppling monuments or explicitly evoking these periods as direct predecessors of their own. Scholars of both periods share similar arguments about the utility of certain methodologies and approaches, rationales for the importance of their study, and appropriation into modern politics.

To spur further conversation, Virginia Tech invites paper proposals for a 1 ½ day plenary conference to be held at the Hotel Roanoke in Roanoke, VA on March 29-30, 2019.

We are pleased to announce that Prof. Matthew X. Vernon, assistant professor of English at UC-Davis, and author of The Black Middle Ages: Race and the Construction of the Middle Ages (Palgrave, 2018) will be our keynote speaker.

Papers of approximately 20 minutes in length, from any discipline, engaging any aspect of the medieval holy war or American Civil War are welcome. Comparative work between the 2 periods is encouraged. Other presentation styles (roundtables) will be considered.

Please send proposals consisting of a CV and an abstract of 250-300 words to https://tinyurl.com/crusadescivilwarProposal by December 15, 2018.

To help ameliorate costs, there will be no registration fee. In addition, coffee/ snacks, 1 breakfast, and 1 lunch will be provided. Attendees will be responsible for travel & lodging.

For more information, please contact organizer Prof. Matthew Gabriele (Virginia Tech) at gabriele@vt.edu

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Manuscripts in the Curriculum II

Les Enluminures currently sponsors a program, Manuscripts in the Curriculum I, to enable colleges, universities, and other educational institutions in the United States and Canada to borrow a select group of original manuscripts to be used for teaching and exhibitions for a segment of the academic year (semester, quarter, or summer session).  Central to the philosophy of this program is the integration of real manuscripts into the curriculum in courses where students can work closely with original material under the guidance of a professor.  It is also envisioned that it will encourage participating institutions to discover and implement ways that manuscripts can continue to be used creatively in their curricula.

Due to demand, we are inaugurating a second, revised program, Manuscripts in the Curriculum II, that will begin in September 2019.  A smaller group of seven to nine manuscripts will be available for loan, which will include representative examples of types of books:  a thirteenth-century Bible, a Book of Hours, a Music manuscript, a Humanist manuscript, a Book for the Mass or Divine Office, a Psalter, Sermons, and Monastic Life.  It is possible to customize the program with one or two “wild card” manuscripts especially suited to the needs of the institution.  Descriptions of a representative group of manuscripts will be available upon request. There is a nominal cost ($5,000) for North American institutions to contribute towards the out-of-pocket expenses of the program (with an additional fee for participating Canadian institutions for international shipping and customs).  The fee covers:  administration, insurance, shipping, condition reports, and study guides.

To qualify for consideration, an application is required.  The application (no more than 3 pages in length) should include:  a letter of intent, outlining the course(s) planned, and other internal and public events (lectures, receptions, colloquia), as well as any special requests for “wild card” manuscripts; a plan for integrating the use of manuscripts in the curriculum after the conclusion of the program; the names of faculty and library staff responsible for overseeing and funding the program; and the preferred semester with a second choice listed (from September 2019 through September 2021).  Applications are due October 15, 2018.  Decisions will be announced November 15, 2018.

For information:  lauralight@lesenluminures.com

To read news and reviews of the program to date:  http://www.textmanuscripts.com/curatorial-services/manuscripts

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11th Annual Schoenberg Symposium Registration open!

In partnership with the Rare Book Department of the Free Library of Philadelphia, the Schoenberg Institute for Manuscript Studies at the University of Pennsylvania is pleased to announce the 11th Annual Lawrence J. Schoenberg Symposium on Manuscript Studies in the Digital Age:

Illuminations: Manuscript, Medium, Message

November 15–17, 2018

Manuscript illumination has often been considered in relation to the texts it accompanies, but rarely in terms of its interplay with other artistic media. Historically, however, the technique was closely associated with other forms of artistic expression and served as a crucial point of contact and transfer for visual motifs across space and time. The goal of this year’s symposium is to examine cases of intermedial exchange through the lenses of technique, style, iconography, social context, and cultural geography, while also posing broader questions about the deep connections between the craft of illumination and other arts more widely. Of special interest will be insights gained from the technical examination of works in different media, new comparisons made possible by digital technology, and the discovery of linkages once obscured by strict historiographical divisions

The program will begin Thursday evening at 5:00 pm on November 15, 2018, at the Free Library of Philadelphia, Parkway Central Library, with a keynote lecture by Professor Susie Nash of the Courtauld Institute of Art. The symposium will continue November 16th-17th at the Kislak Center of Special Collections, Rare Books, and Manuscripts at the University of Pennsylvania.

For more information on the program and to register, please go to http://www.library.upenn.edu/about/events/kislak/SIMS/ljs-symposium11

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Medieval History Seminar

The German Historical Institutes in London and Washington, D.C., are pleased to announce the eleventh Medieval History Seminar, to be held in London from 10 to 12 October 2019. The seminar is designed to bring together Ph.D. candidates and recent Ph.D. recipients (2018) in medieval history from American, Canadian, British, Irish and German universities for three days of scholarly discussion and collaboration. They will have the opportunity to present their work to their peers as well as to distinguished scholars from both sides of the Atlantic. Conveners for the 2019 seminar will be Paul Freedman (Yale University), Bernhard Jussen (Goethe Universität Frankfurt am Main), Simon MacLean (University of St Andrews), Ruth Mazo Karras (Trinity College Dublin), Len Scales (Durham University), and Dorothea Weltecke (Goethe Universität Frankfurt am Main).

The Medieval History Seminar welcomes proposals from all areas of medieval history. Participation is not limited to historians working on German history or German-speaking regions of Europe. Nor is a particular epoch or methodological approach preferred. Applications from neighbouring disciplines are welcome if the projects have a distinct historical focus.

The seminar is bi-lingual, and papers and discussions will be conducted both in German and English. Participants must have a good reading and aural comprehension of both languages. Successful applicants must be prepared to submit a paper of approximately 5000 words by 1 September 2019. They are also expected to act as commentator for other papers presented in the seminar.

The GHI will cover the travel and lodging expenses of the participants.
Applications may be submitted in German or English and should include:

• a curriculum vitae (including institutional affiliation, address and e-mail);
• a description of the proposed paper (4-5 pages, double-spaced);
• one letter of recommendation.

Send applications, if possible as one pdf-document, per e-mail to:
sterckx@ghil.ac.uk

German Historical Institute
17 Bloomsbury Square Tel. +44-(0)20-7309 2050
London WC1A 2NJ (UK) FAX +44-(0)20-7309 2055

The deadline for submission is 31 January 2019.

For further information, please contact Dr. Cornelia Linde, GHI London, e-mail: linde@ghil.ac.uk

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Jobs for Medievalists

Administrative Librarian (Director, Special Collections Directorate)

Open & closing dates: 09/04/2018 to 10/04/2018
Service: Excepted
Pay scale & grade: SL 00
Salary: $126,148 to $189,600 per year
Appointment type: Permanent – Position
Work schedule: Full-Time – Flexitime.

Announcement number: VAR000519. Control number: 509530500
See https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/509530500

Summary

This position is located in the Special Collections Directorate, Library Services.

The position description number for this position is 373296.

This position has no promotion potential. The salary range indicated reflects the locality pay adjustments for the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan area. This is a supervisory, non-bargaining unit position.

Responsibilities
The position serves as the Director of the Special Collections Directorate. The Special Collections Directorate is responsible for the Library’s extensive collections of unique or rare, unpublished and published, resources in a variety of physical and digital formats, with significant specializations in areas such as manuscripts, oral history, photography and geographic information systems.

The Director works under the general direction and supervision of the Associate Librarian for Library Services (ALLS). The Director has responsibility over seven organizational units: Geography and Map Division; Manuscript Division; Music Division; Prints & Photographs Division; Rare Book and Special Collections Division; and the American Folklife Center, including the Veterans History Project. The Director is responsible for the overall effectiveness of the Directorate; the effectiveness of his/her communication and cooperation with other members of Library Services, the Library and outside organizations; the quality and extent of his/her participation on the service unit management team; and his/her effective leadership of subordinate managers, supervisors and staff in incorporating the Library’s priorities and values into their programs and activities.

The Director has overall responsibility, as well as delegated authority, for the oversight and administration of broad, emerging, and critical agency programs or operations. Is primarily responsible for the direction and management of the Directorate and is charged with developing, building, and curating the digital and physical collections, stewardship and management of the collections, and sharing the collections by providing resources for researchers seeking to use the vast collections of the Library. Has responsibility for creating and managing metadata according to national standards for archival collections and for cartographic, music, and graphic materials. Has responsibility for researcher focused services, including multiple reading rooms, websites, and digitization; special collections access guidance, orientation, and instruction; and creating and participating in outreach programs through means, such as social media and special events.

Serves as the primary advisor to the ALLS on various programs and events of the Special Collections Directorate. Counsels senior management and officials at multiple levels of the Library of Congress; senior staff of the Directorate; and private sector clients and vendors on agency matters.

Works closely and provides guidance to the seven subordinate Directorate managers. Serves on inter-agency, national, and/or international special work groups, task forces, or expert panels on special projects or studies critical to the resolution of far-reaching operating issues and problems.

Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with various high-level individuals, other legislative and executive agencies, executives of major corporations, and members of the public.

Establishes and maintains close and cooperative working relationships with other service unit managers as well as other government agencies and other institutions with related interests, in order to advance the programs and objectives of the Library.

Establishes performance expectations for subordinate managers. Provides informal feedback and formally evaluates direct reports on organizational and individual performance. Provides advice and counsel to staff members and subordinate managers. Effects disciplinary measures. Reviews and approves or disapproves leave requests.

Travel Required. Occasional travel – Incumbent may be required to travel for business purposes.

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Jobs for Medievalists

Position Title: Assistant Professor in Medieval Iberian Studies

Req # 03884

The Department of Romance Languages and Literatures at the University of Chicago seeks candidates for a tenure-track assistant professor position in medieval Iberian studies, to begin July 1, 2019, or as soon as possible thereafter. The Department of Romance Languages and Literatures has vibrant graduate and undergraduate programs in Hispanic and Luso-Brazilian Studies, and offers instruction in Catalan, Portuguese, and Spanish. We seek a colleague who will contribute to intellectual conversations and collaborations within and beyond the Department of Romance Languages and Literatures, for instance in connection to the University’s many interdisciplinary centers and workshops. We are particularly interested in candidates with expertise in one or more of the following areas: critical race studies, gender studies, religious studies, intellectual history, multi-lingualism, border and migration studies, manuscript and material culture.

The normal teaching load for an Assistant Professor is four courses per year, plus advising and committee responsibilities. The successful candidate is expected to teach in the University’s common core, to teach introductory and advanced undergraduate courses in literature and culture, as well as graduate courses related to their area of expertise. They will have native or near-native proficiency in Spanish. Proficiency in one or more of the medieval languages of the Iberian peninsula is also very desirable. Candidates are required to have their PhD in Spanish literature, Medieval Studies, or a related field. All requirements for the PhD must be completed prior to the start of the appointment. The deadline for applications is November 10, 2018.

Applications must be submitted to requisition #03884 through the University of Chicago’s Academic Career Opportunities website: https://tinyurl.com/IberianMedieval, and must include: 1) a cover letter; 2) a research statement that addresses current research as well as future plans for research; 3) a teaching statement that addresses experience or plans for teaching at both the undergraduate and the graduate level; 4) a curriculum vitae; 5) two samples of scholarly writing (one each in English and in Spanish or another peninsular language), for instance a published or forthcoming article, or a dissertation chapter; 6) three letters of recommendation. All candidate-authored materials must be submitted through the ACO website by the deadline of November 10, 2018 in order for the applicant to receive full consideration. Letters of recommendation will be accepted up to November 17, 2018 and must be submitted via the ACO website or emailed to jhurtart@uchicago.edu by references or a portfolio service (such as Interfolio). The position is contingent upon final budgetary approval.

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University’s Notice of Nondiscrimination at http://www.uchicago.edu/about/non_discrimination_statement/. Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-0287 or email ACOppAdministrator@uchicago.edu with their request.

https://tinyurl.com/IberianMedieval

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Fragmentarium Workshop

The Swiss National Science Foundation Project Fragmentarium (https://fragmentarium.ms) is pleased to announce the program of its upcoming workshop: “Bits and Pieces. Medieval Manuscript Fragments in the Digital Age,” to be held at the University of Fribourg, Switzerland, 5-6 October, 2018. The workshop is open to the public; those interested are invited to contact Fragmentarium at fragmentarium@unifr.ch.

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Manuscripts in the Curriculum II

Les Enluminures currently sponsors a program, Manuscripts in the Curriculum I, to enable colleges, universities, and other educational institutions in the United States and Canada to borrow a select group of original manuscripts to be used for teaching and exhibitions for a segment of the academic year (semester, quarter, or summer session). Central to the philosophy of this program is the integration of real manuscripts into the curriculum in courses where students can work closely with original material under the guidance of a professor. It is also envisioned that it will encourage participating institutions to discover and implement ways that manuscripts can continue to be used creatively in their curricula.

Due to demand, we are inaugurating a second, revised program, Manuscripts in the Curriculum II, that will begin in September 2019. A smaller group of seven to nine manuscripts will be available for loan, which will include representative examples of types of books: a thirteenth-century Bible, a Book of Hours, a Music manuscript, a Humanist manuscript, a Book for the Mass or Divine Office, a Psalter, Sermons, and Monastic Life. It is possible to customize the program with one or two “wild card” manuscripts especially suited to the needs of the institution. Descriptions of a representative group of manuscripts will be available upon request. There is a nominal cost ($5,000) for North American institutions to contribute towards the out-of-pocket expenses of the program (with an additional fee for participating Canadian institutions for international shipping and customs). The fee covers: administration, insurance, shipping, condition reports, and study guides.

To qualify for consideration, an application is required. The application (no more than 3 pages in length) should include: a letter of intent, outlining the course(s) planned, and other internal and public events (lectures, receptions, colloquia), as well as any special requests for “wild card” manuscripts; a plan for integrating the use of manuscripts in the curriculum after the conclusion of the program; the names of faculty and library staff responsible for overseeing and funding the program; and the preferred semester with a second choice listed (from September 2019 through September 2021). Applications are due October 15, 2018. Decisions will be announced November 15, 2018.

For information: lauralight@lesenluminures.com

To read news and reviews of the program to date: http://www.textmanuscripts.com/curatorial-services/manuscripts

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NEH Fellowships

Deadline: October 31, 2018

Founded in 1881, the American School of Classical Studies at Athens (ASCSA) is the most significant resource in Greece for American scholars in the fields of Greek language, literature, history, archaeology, philosophy, and art, from pre-Hellenic times to the present. It offers two major research libraries: the Blegen, with over 107,000 volumes dedicated to the ancient Mediterranean world; and the Gennadius, with over 146,000 volumes and archives devoted to post-classical Hellenic civilization and, more broadly, the Balkans and the eastern Mediterranean. The School also provides centers for advanced research in archaeological and related topics at its excavations in the Athenian Agora and Corinth, and houses an archaeological sciences laboratory at the main campus in Athens. By agreement with the Greek government, the ASCSA is authorized to serve as liaison with the Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sports on behalf of American students and scholars for the acquisition of permits to conduct archaeological work and to study collections.

Since its inception in 1994, the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Fellowship program at the ASCSA has demonstrated its effectiveness by supporting projects for 57 scholars with distinguished research and teaching careers in the humanities.

Eligibility: Postdoctoral scholars and professionals in relevant fields including architecture and art history who are US citizens or foreign nationals who have lived in the US for the three years immediately preceding the application deadline. Applicants must already hold their Ph.D. or have completed all requirements, except for the actual conferral of the degree, by the application deadline.

Terms: Two to four fellows will be selected for awards of 4, 5, or 9 months duration. The monthly stipend per fellow is $4,200 allocated from a total pool of $75,600 per year. Applicants should indicate their preference for the length and dates of tenure of the award to coincide with the American School’s academic year: 9 months, Sept. 2019-beginning of June 2020; 4 months, Sept. – Dec.; 5 months, January to the beginning of June. School fees are waived, and the award provides lunches at Loring Hall five days per week. The NEH Fellow will pay for travel costs, housing, residence permit, and other living expenses from the stipend. A final report is due at the end of the award period, and the ASCSA expects that copies of all publications that result from research conducted as a Fellow of the ASCSA be contributed to the relevant library of the School. The NEH Fellow is also required to send one copy of all books and electronic copies of articles directly to the NEH.

NEH Fellows will be expected to reside primarily at the American School of Classical Studies at Athens (though research may be carried out elsewhere in Greece).

Application: Submit Senior “Associate Membership with Fellowship” Application online on the ASCSA web site by October 31. Link to: https://ascsa.submittable.com/submit/115299/associate-membership-with-fellowship-application
The following items should be included in the application submitted online on the ASCSA web site:

1. Short abstract of the project (up to 300 words).
2. A statement of the project (up to five pages, single spaced), including desired number of months in Greece, a timetable, explicit goals, a selected bibliography, the importance of the work, the methodologies involved, where applicable, and the reasons it should occur at the ASCSA.
3. Current curriculum vitae. If not a US citizen, state US visa status /date of residence.
4. Names of three recommenders who are individuals familiar with applicant’s work and field of interest. Include a list of names, positions, and addresses of the referees. Instructions for recommenders to submit letters will be sent through the application portal. Please make sure your recommenders have submitted their letters by November 4. These letters should comment on the feasibility of the project and the applicant’s ability to carry it out successfully.

The following criteria will be used by the Selection Committee when considering applications.
1. Are the objectives and approaches clearly stated and coherent?
2. Will the project result in an important and original contribution?
3. Are the research perspectives and methodologies appropriate?
4. Is the projected timetable reasonable for the tenure of the fellowship?
5. What resources are necessary? Does the ASCSA provide resources that are not available at the home institution?
6. Will residence in Greece contribute substantially to the success of the project?

Web site: www.ascsa.edu.gr or http://www.ascsa.edu.gr/index.php/admission-membership/fellowships-and-grants
E-mail: application@ascsa.org

The awards will be announced during February. Awardees will be expected to accept the award within two weeks of notification of funding, but no later than March 1.

The American School of Classical Studies at Athens does not discriminate on the basis of race, age, sex, sexual orientation, color, religion, ethnic origin, or disability when considering admission to any form of membership or application for employment.

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Jobs for Medievalists

ELIZABETH A. WHITEHEAD DISTINGUISHED SCHOLAR
One or Two Positions for 2019-2020

Deadline: October 31, 2018

Term: Early September to June 1.

Eligibility: A senior scholar working in any area related to the mission of the School with a significant record of publication and teaching who is affiliated with a Cooperating Institution. Preference will be given to those who have not received recent support from the School. Previous holders of the Whitehead may apply if the previous term was at least five years prior.

Project: The Whitehead Distinguished Scholar shall pursue research on a project that utilizes the facilities of the School and enriches its academic program. Whitehead Scholars participate in School trips and excursions, work closely with Regular and Student Associate members of the School during the winter term (late November to late March) on the subject of their expertise, and generally participate in the academic life of the School. A more detailed description of this position and a list of past Scholars’ work with members is available on the School’s website (www.ascsa.edu.gr). Applicants are encouraged to consult with the Mellon Professor in Athens well in advance of the October 31 deadline when crafting their proposed contributions to the academic program of the School.

Compensation: Stipend of $40,000 plus round-trip coach airfare to Athens, board at Loring Hall for the Whitehead Scholar (one-half senior rate for spouse, and one-half student rate for dependents), School housing, and hotel and transportation on up to four of the five field trips (western and northern Greece, Peloponnesos, central Greece, Crete, and the Corinthia and Argolid) and transportation on all winter Attica excursions.

Application: On or before October 31, Applicants should submit the following materials online at:
https://ascsa.submittable.com/submit/115754/elizabeth-a-whitehead-distinguished-scholars-application-form
· Brief statement of interest (1 page)
· Curriculum vitae (max. 3-pages) including list of publications.
· Statement of current and projected research (max. 3 pages)
· Proposed contribution to the academic program (max. 3 pages)
· Account of the frequency and length of earlier visits to Greece.

Applicants should ask three recommenders to submit letters of reference by October 31.

The appointments will be announced by January 15.

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