Social Fabric | |
Leader |
Dr Claire Walker University of Adelaide claire.i.walker@adelaide.edu.au |
Previous Leader |
Dr Nicholas Eckstein (2005-2006) Cassamarca Senior Lecturer in Italian History University of Sydney |
Scope | This theme draws together and builds on a wide range of research into aspects of social structures in early Europe, and especially their relationship to contemporary social issues. Among the topics of particular emphasis are family, gender and social structures; war, peace and conflict; and poverty. A major area of research interest is the changing nature of the family and the household, particularly in relation to non-nuclear and fragmented families. This provides fresh perspectives on the historical context of debates about "the family" in contemporary Western societies. A related area covers the nature and understanding of parenting in early Europe. The significance of gender-related issues in early European societies is a major focus of research. Specific topics include the relationship between violence and gender and between religion and gender. Also covered by this area is research into the political thought of European women, the interplay between humanism and ideas about gender, and the nature of masculine identity. The themes of war, peace and conflict resonate through the early European period into the contemporary world. In this context, there is scope to integrate aspects of colonial and postcolonial theory, to which there have been many important Australian contributions, with war and peace studies. This area includes work on imprisonment and the policing of difference and on the logistics of the crusades, as well as on ideas of pacifism. Issues relating to social and economic conditions also form an element of this theme. Research into a key social concept like poverty in early Europe reveals different understandings of the nature of social responsibility and of the nature of "otherness" and diversity in society. The relationship between different social groups in a newly urbanized setting can also show the impact of the urban economy on social life. |
Activities |
May 20-21, 2005:Theme Symposium "Sociability and its Discontents: Civil Society, Social Capital, and their Alternatives in European and Australian Society" (University of Sydney). Speakers: Nicholas Terpstra, Kavita Ayer, Loretta Baldassar, Diane Covell, Nick Doumanis, Dale Kent, Mark Peel, Anne Scott.� Report. February 4, 2005: ANZAMEMS Conference parallel sessions (University of Auckland). Speakers: Nick Eckstein, Kavita Ayer, Mercedes Maroto Camino, Olivia Mair, Anne Scott, Claire Walker. |
Location: http://www.neer.arts.uwa.edu.au/page/1711
Page Information | Printer Friendly Version