2012 International Osnabrück Summer Institute for the Cultural Study of the Law

From Peter Schneck, Chair of American Studies, University of Osnabrück, Germany

*Culture, Rights, Identity: Interfaces between the Humanities and the Law*




International Summer Institute on the Cultural Study of the Law



http://www.blogs.uni-osnabrueck.de/lawandculture



*Invitation*



The fourth annual International Summer Institute on the Cultural Study of the Law will be held from August 6 to 18, 2012 at the University of Osnabrück, Germany. Hosted by the Institute of English and American Studies (IfAA), the Summer Institute seeks to bring together advanced graduate, doctoral, and postdoctoral students of the humanities and/or the law from around the world to promote and examine the interdisciplinary study and research of law and culture.



During the two week program, students will partake in a unique experience of scholarly collaboration and exchange through workshops, public lectures, panel discussions, excursions and a final symposium.

Participating faculty in this year's Summer Institute include:



*Rosemary J. Coombe (York University, Toronto) *Helle Porsdam (University of Copenhagen) *Fiona Macmillan (Birkbeck School of Law, University of London) *Joseph Slaughter (Columbia University, New York)

* Kay Schaffer (University of Adelaide)



with more faculty to be announced in the upcoming weeks.



The Institute will offer a total of four workshops for 30-35 international participants (doctoral, post-doctoral and advanced M.A. - see below for

eligibility) over a two-week period. The first workshop will be concerned with basic theories, concepts and perspectives within the emerging field of cultural legal studies, focusing specifically on the range and potential of interdisciplinary studies and approaches. The remaining three workshops will focus on key areas of critical inquiry that have been central to the dynamic development of the field and are of particular importance within a European context:



* The relation between human rights and cultural rights

* Historical development and current debates about culture as heritage, property and as a resource and its legal definition and regulation (including concepts such as copyright, intellectual property and

authorship)

* The cultural presence and representation of the law and the role of culture in the representation and dissemination of the concept of rights (e.g. law and literature, life writing and human rights, visual culture and rights rhetoric)



*Participant Eligibility*

The Summer Institute aims at advanced graduate, doctoral, and postdoctoral students from various academic fields, whose research interests and projects are situated at the interface between law and the humanities and who are concerned with a better understanding of the interdependence of law and culture.

Even though the Institute strongly invites students from a broad variety of disciplines and academic backgrounds, it focuses almost exclusively on questions and issues related to research done in the humanities and legal studies.

Doctoral candidates in literature, the law, the arts, the humanities, and the related social sciences are invited to apply, as are advanced students pursuing a J.D. or its equivalent (such as the L.L.B). Young scholars or junior faculty members who have received a Ph.D. or corresponding degree in the last five years are also eligible. While applications by doctoral/post-doctoral students are prioritized, the Summer Institute also encourages applications from advanced Master students about to conclude their studies and with a strong interest in interdisciplinary research.

There are openings for 30-35 students to participate in the Summer Institute.

Due to its international audience, the Summer Institute will be completely conducted in English. It does not offer language instruction classes, either in German or in English.



*Application Process*



Applicants should complete:



* An application form:

http://www.blogs.uni-osnabrueck.de/lawandculture/application-2012/

* A statement of purpose no more than two pages long, describing current scholarly interests, previous research, and plans for how the Summer Institute would specifically further these interests and plans.

* An up-to-date curriculum vitae.



Students interested in taking part in the Summer Institute should submit their applications no later than April 30, 2012. Detailed information about the Institute, the workshops, international faculty, admission and fees can be found at:



http://www.blogs.uni-osnabrueck.de/lawandculture

*Questions*



Please direct all inquiries and questions to the main coordinator of the Institute at

lawandculture@uos.de