We define our period broadly as premodernity c. 500-1500 CE, always with
flexible time horizons, and always with the understanding that the
semi-convenient term "Middle Ages" is a heuristic category under erasure,
and with diminished purchase for cultures and worlds outside premodern
Europe.

We wish to focus on the concept of Renaissance as it applies to a particular time and place still regarded as crucially important for world-wide ways of life and thought. However, even this outlook is open to our questioning. What indeed, does it mean to be doing Renaissance Studies Now—not only in terms of the field itself, but in terms of what our field has to say to contemporary society? In the past, the field of Renaissance Studies has drawn themes and orientations from particular concerns of the moment, without losing the rigorous focus, and has given back crucial insights. What Now? To facilitate a many-sided discussion, the conference is articulated in ten parts relating to chief areas of this transdisciplinary and multifaceted field within the humanities and social sciences: History, Languages and Literatures, History of Science, Cultural Studies, Classical Studies, Gender Studies, Art History, Philosophy, Sociology, Politics.

The debate on Renaissance versus Early Modern as periodical concepts has only served to sharpen perceptions of what is at stake in the notion of a Renaissance—not that there is yet substantial agreement on this or on any other aspect of the period’s ontology. Perhaps in a time of “Renewal” and “Reform” of social, political and economic systems, with all the attendant dangers and benefits, the notion of “Renaissance” and all this has entailed, holds a certain appeal. The conference will attend to the deepest resonances and draw some conclusions.

Welcome to the Early Modern Food Network, a blog dedicated to the study of food, diet, and theories of consumption from roughly 1500 to 1800

Proposals are sought for a potential new book series at AMS Press (New
York), edited by Phillip John Usher (Barnard College, Columbia
University). The aim of this new series is to make important texts of
the French Renaissance available in modern English translations. The
period is here approximately defined as 1450-1600, but individual
exceptions will be encouraged.

the Group for Early Modern Cultural Students (GEMCS), originally conceived to bring together scholars from a range of pre-1900 fields, has been attracting mostly students and professors in the field formerly known as “Renaissance;”

Partly, I think, this is due the fact that while twenty years ago the phrase “early modern” offered a range of possibilities, it has now, at least professionally, simply replaced “Renaissance,” so younger scholars coming into the discipline cannot be blamed for (mistakenly) assuming that a paper on Jane Austen would have no place at a GEMCS meeting.

early modern era (15th-18th centuries)

the chronological period 1300–1650

Call for H-ALBION Book Review Editor: History of England, Wales, and
Scotland 1540-1689

H-Albion is looking for candidates who would like serve as our Book
Review Editor for England, Wales, and Scotland, 1540-1689.  Applications
are invited from scholars specializing in the early modern period.  The
successful candidate will serve as book review editor for two years and
will be responsible for commissioning and editing book reviews.
Please send a cover letter and CV to Jason M. Kelly at jaskelly@iupui.edu.

Application deadline is 1 December 2011

The post is for an early modern historian with special interests in the visual and/or material culture, c. 1550-1750.