What is New in the New Universities?

Learning in Central Europe in Later Middle Ages (1348-1500)

SIEPM-Colloquium

What is New in the New Universities? Learning in Central Europe in Later Middle Ages (1348-1500):

Łódź 8-10.IX.2011

Conference Statement

From the foundation of the University in Prague until the beginning of the Reformation the countries on the eastern fringe of the Latin Europe made several attempts (some of them spectacularly successful) to catch up with the West, also on the intellectual ground. Soon the voices of scholars from Bohemia, Poland, or Hungary were heard at the most important debates of the turning of the 14^th and 15^th century: the Ecumenical Councils of Constance and Basel and their texts were copied for libraries of Oxford or Paris. Regrettably, many of those masters and texts fell into oblivion in subsequent centuries. National revivals in Central Europe in the 19^th century helped to recover the memory of the glorious past, but it is difficult to say that that work, originated almost two centuries ago is done. To the contrary: the research of the field uncovers ever new areas, which call for the inspection of scholars. The pivotal part of this research area are the mutual relations of medieval institutions of learning in Central Europe and their relations with older universities, especially the paths and patterns of transmission of ideas, with the special focus on the contributions of Central Europeans to the common cultural heritage of Europe. To this end, an international conference is planned for academics and students interested in the field of medieval civilization in Europe.

Call for papers

Herewith we invite scholars to submit proposals for papers, to be read at the Colloquium, which deal with the history of Central European universities in the Middle Ages. The field will be divided into three sections, centered on historical, philosophical and theological issues concerning the universities of Prague, Krakow, Pecs, Buda, Pozsony (Bratislava), Vienna, Erfurt, and Leipzig between 1348 and 1500. The studies can take the subject of: schools, transmission of texts, libraries, curricula, conflicts, correctoria, condemnations, methods of work, influence of old “ideas” over new universities.

Young scholars are welcome to present short communiqués (15 min.) on their research related to the subject of the conference.

Lectures may be delivered in any of the official languages of the SIEPM (English, French, German, Italian, Spanish). All proposals (title and brief outline) should be sent (by e-mail) to dr Monika Michalowska, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Proposals with abstracts must be received by December 2010. The organizers of the Colloquium will evaluate the proposals and select the speakers. The University of Lodz will provide hotel lodging and most meals for the selected speakers. A certain number of SIEPM stipends will be available to cover the travel expenses of some of the speakers, who may apply between 15 January 2011 and 15 May 2011 for such funds to the Secretary-General of the SIEPM, Prof. Maarten J.F.M. HOENEN (Universität Freiburg im Breisgau). For more information please see here.

Accommodation costs:

apartment ca 300zl = ca 80 euro, single room 140 zl = ca 40 euro,  double room 200 zl  = ca 50 euro (breakfast included). Students will receive cheaper accommodation. Please arrange the booking via dr Monika Michalowska.

Boarding: the conference organizers can provide lunch (ca 10 euro).

Conference fee:

80 euro - researchers

30 euro - students

Proceedings of the conference will be published in a special volume.