“Social and Cultural Orders of Eastern Europe in a Historical and Literary Perspective” Working Group

The working group stands consciously in the tradition of the previous successful working group "History and Culture of Eastern Europe" and aims to continue its activities. It was conceived as a synergetic connecting link between doctoral candidates integrated into structured programs like the research training group “Friends, Patrons, Clients,” the doctoral research group “History and Narrative,” and their dissertation supervisors and doctoral candidates from the represented fields of study who are not integrated into such a program. We understand social and cultural orders as a basic framework to which the members of the working group can link their own dissertation projects.
What the social dimension involves is first and foremost the tension between individuals and the various Eastern European societies as well as their respective attempts to realize their interests. This dimension also includes examples of societal structures and the socialization of the individuals living within the context of these structures. Finally, it involves a comparative analysis of changing social structures and influencing factors of several societies in a longitudinal perspective. The cultural perspective is aligned closely with the social dimension – a further indespensible dimension for analyzing and comprehending social practice in Eastern Europe. At the same time, the working group understands culture in a broad sense as consisting of the components that shape the world in which the individual protagonists live and make their action plausible. We thus see culture not only as a mirror of societal aspects but also as a dimension that plays a dynamic role in fundamental societal changes and constants.
Accordingly, the various topics the members are dealing with encompass such issues as concepts on networks, interpersonal relations, subcultures, integration, media, power, and society in the history and literature of Eastern Europe. The network of doctoral candidates from the fields of Eastern European history, early modern and modern history, and Slavic philology recieves support primarily from Prof. Dr. Dietmar Neutatz (Early Modern and Eastern European History) and Prof. Dr. Elisabeth Cheauré (Slavic Literature). Additionally, however, the working group plans to call on further experienced researchers, such as postdocs and habilitation candidates, to provide guidance for the doctoral candidates.
In order to strengthen the interdisciplinary dialogue between the participating disciplines, the working group plans various activities focused on the point of intersection between the individual dissertation projects. The program is developed jointly by the participants. It thus takes into account their own research concerns and is based on the doctoral candidates’ own ideas and suggestions. The working group complements the individual advising and colloquia held by the professors and the doctoral research groups and serves as an additional forum for exchanging experiences and ideas, discussing common academic and practical questions, and acquiring new skills. Just as important, it also aims to build a sense of community among the doctoral candidates and promote their social integration.