The Nanovic Institute for European Studies, University of Notre Dame, has decided to focus strategically on the phenomenon of peripheralization and the discourse on “peripheries.” The term “peripheries” is contested (because of the center-margin metaphor, the labeling effect, the loaded history of the term, and implications of “othering”), but also judged to be a fruitful lens. This workshop seeks to develop a deeper understanding of the discourse on peripheries and discuss what it means to do academic work in contexts deemed to be peripheral. In our approach to “peripheries,” we are interested in the discourse on peripheries, in phenomena of marginalization (marginalized people, languages, traditions, places), and in the challenge of “de-centering the center.”
In this exploratory faculty workshop, we hope to discuss and test the boundaries of the concept of Peripheries as an approach to European Studies. Our approach to the discourse on peripheries is inspired by the work of Pamela Ballinger who has argued for the usefulness of the periphery lens to shed light on recombinations and intersections of well-established distinctions such as North versus South, East versus West; this lens is fruitful to understand the changing spatial, political, and cultural landscapes of Europe.
The exploratory workshop seeks to bring colleagues with different research interests together for an informal exchange with the goals of mapping the discursive landscape of the term “peripheries” as well as prepare the grounds for discussions about a book series on “Europe and its Peripheries.”
Deadline for registration: Wednesday, November 2.
Please contact Dr. Abigail Lewis for more information or participation details.
RegisterSchedule
9:00am-9:10 a.m. — Welcome and Opening Remarks: Clemens Sedmak
9:10am-10:40 a.m. — Session 1
- Barbara C. Buckinx, Princeton University, “The Migrant as Weapon: Vulnerabilities and Opportunities for Empowerment.”
- Tim Smeeding, University of Wisconsin-Madison, “Immigration and the Future of Europe.”
- Brendan Mullan, Michigan State University, “Peripheral Populations: The Changing Demography of the Greek Islands 1981-2021.”
10:40 a.m. — Break with refreshments
11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. — Session 2
- Esther Romeyn, University of Florida, “Entanglements of race, religion, and memory: Jews and Muslims in contemporary Europe.”
- Emrah Sahin, University of Florida, “Frangistan: An Ottoman Story of Europe.”
- Ayşe Parla, Boston University, “Ghosts, Politics of Emotion and the Armenian Genocide.”
12:30-1:15 p.m. — Lunch
1:15-2:45 p.m. — Session 3
- Dominic Thomas, UCLA, “Peripheries: Globalization and Post-Truth.”
- Adrian Favell, University College Cork, “Theory from the Peripheries.”
- Ernesto Castañeda, American University, “The World as a European Periphery: Lessons from the Margins.”
2:45-3:00 p.m. — Next Steps and Closing Remarks: Clemens Sedmak