About the Seminar Series

This standing seminar on the “HISTORY OF THE MILITARY, WAR, AND SOCIETY,” started in January 2006. The PRIMARY PURPOSE of the seminar is to provide a forum for historians working on issues relating to war, peace and society and in the field of a most broadly defined history of the military. Far from engaging in any policing of boundaries, the seminar recognizes the rich and ever-growing diversity of approaches and methods that have come to characterize the study of the military, war and society. The seminar is open to approaches from political, diplomatic and institutional history as well as economic, social, cultural and gender history. Studies of violent conflicts, peace building and peace keeping will also be included. The goal is to create a stimulating conversation across and on different theoretical approaches and methodologies. Furthermore, we would like to extend the geographical and temporal scope of our discussion beyond the Americas and Europe. We aim for a global history of the military, war, and society that explores and relates the developments in different regions and time periods.

This inter-university seminar is meant to bring together all interested SCHOLARS FROM THE TRIANGLE AREA AND BEYOND. Our meetings provide an opportunity to present and discuss the findings of on-going research by historians in and outside the triangle area. Speakers showcase their work and offer insight into the scholarly directions and developments in the field. Open to faculty and students, the seminar also makes a major contribution to graduate training by offering advanced Ph.D. candidates an opportunity to present their work in progress.

The seminar meets three to four times a semester on Friday afternoon from 4 - 6 pm. We rely primarily, but not exclusively, on pre-circulated papers, with the speakers introducing their work for no more than 10-15 minutes, to ensure the most substantive discussions.