CRASSH/Mellon Early Career Workshop Series: Comparatism

Every society uses comparison. When comparison becomes a self-conscious and theoretically self-reflective practice, we have comparatism. Many academics are concerned with the practice and methods of comparison; and the need for a cognitively robust relativism is an integral part of a mature historical self-placement.

CRASSH is delighted to advertise two series of events for early career scholars, led by world-class experts in the field of comparatism.

Lent 2018

Comparatism 1: Practices and theories of writing. Wednesdays 2.00-4.00pm, 8 meetings starting on 24th January 2018 at CRASSH.

Course directors:
Michael Puett (Professor of Chinese, Harvard),
Caroline Humphrey (Professor of Anthropology, Cambridge)

This course will look at how different theories and practices of writing and interpretation have developed at different times in different cultures. Michael Puett is currently working on a book on writing and interpretation in early China, Carrie Humphrey has worked on writing systems and theories of interpretation in Mongolia – but this is a course setting such detailed analyses in a global comparative frame to explore the social, intellectual and political contexts and consequences of practices of interpretation. Early career scholars are invited to apply to participate in what will be eight weekly seminars of two hours each. Participants will be expected to present material for discussion. Early career academics are defined as graduates who are in their third year and beyond, post-docs, junior research fellows, or any academic within seven years of their PhD. Applicants are welcome from any department or faculty in the university, especially from those with an interest in the problems of comparative method.

How to Apply
The deadline for applications is 12pm on Thursday 18 January 2018. No paper or emailed applications can be accepted. In order for your application to be considered by the Selection Committee, we must receive a completed application via the online application system, including a letter of support from your  nominated referee by the deadline.

You can register or log in to your application on the right hand side of the page.  Please contact us via email on fellowships@CRASSH.cam.ac.uk if you experience technical difficulties with the system or if you require further information about eligibility or provision.

The following information will be required:

• a CV to be uploaded as a PDF file (maximum 8Mb);
• a brief description outlining the topic of your current research. Type your description directly into the box indicated, remembering to Save after each addition/amendment. The system will not allow you to exceed the 10,000 character limit.
• the contact details of one referee who is familiar with your work. We advise that you separately alert your nominated referees of your application and the deadline of 10 January 2018.  Referees are given access to your application via an email containing a link that is triggered by your clicking the Send Email button. Once you've ticked the Send Email button, the system will contact your nominated referee, who must submit their reference via this system by the deadline.  The system will indicate when your reference has been submitted. (Applicants are unable to view confidential references.) You may amend your nominated referee up to the point of their submitting a confidential reference. Once your referee submits their confidential comments you will no longer be able to change their details.
• To submit your completed application, click on the Submit button at the bottom of the page.  You can submit at any time up until the deadline, provided all fields (excluding referees' comments) have been completed.  You can still log in to view and amend your application after submission.

Please note that uploaded documents MUST be PDF files, maximum file size 8Mb.  The system will not allow you to submit your application without these.

The second series of workshops will take place in Michaelmas 2018 and further details will be posted at a later date.

Comparatism II.
Course Directors
Phillipe Descola (Professor of Anthropology, Sorbonne);
Renaud Gagné (Reader in Classics, Cambridge)