ESSWE Thesis Workshop - Alchemy: Between Science and Religion

A one-day workshop for graduate and postgraduate students organised by the Chair for History of Hermetic Philosophy and Related Currents, University of Amsterdam, on Thursday 24 June 2010. Throughout the day, international scholars from varying perspectives (cultural, intellectual, history of science) will present papers, discuss issues around framing research questions, and reflect on the importance of developing the skills necessary to successfully carry out research. This workshop will provide an opportunity for graduate and postgraduate students to engage with specialists in the history of medieval and early modern alchemy, and others more broadly based in the field of Western Esotericism. It should be stressed that while the focus of our three specialist speakers is on alchemy, time will be available for students to interact with the scholars and discuss more general strategies for research, such as the issues of definitions, typologies, disciplinary boundaries and interdisciplinarity, questions of primary and secondary sources, publication, networking and other practical matters of a scholarly life. The chronological focus will not be restricted to the Early Modern period, but will range from the Middle Ages to the 20th Century. Doors open at 10:30 and the event begins at 11:00 The day will be divided into three parts: 1) Oratory: Presentations by guest speakers > Prof. Lawrence Principe (Johns Hopkins University) > Dr Stephen Clucas (University of London) > Dr Jennifer Rampling (University of Cambridge) 2) Laboratory: Students have the opportunity to discuss practical research issues with the following scholars, in addition to the speakers: Jean-Pierre Brach, Peter Forshaw, Wouter Hanegraaff, Boaz Huss, Andreas Kilcher, Marco Pasi, Mark Sedgwick, & Gyorgy Szonyi 3) A roundtable discussion focussed on specific themes > Definitions & Typologies: issues of terminology, reification, essentialism, actors’ categories > Boundary Work: Magic, Science and/or Religion, Hybridity > Alchemy & Culture (Elite, Court, Popular) Please note: this is a free event. Venue: P.C. Hoofthuis, Room 1.05 Spuistraat 134 Amsterdam NOTE: There will be an ESSWE Members Meeting in the same room from 9:00-10:00 am. NOTE 2: For anyone who would like to see some original alchemical manuscripts and early modern publications, there will be a visit to the Ritman Library on Friday morning. For more details, or to book a place, contact Dr Peter Forshaw: p.j.forshaw@uva.nl This event is supported by both the Society for Renaissance Studies and the Society for the History of Alchemy and Chemistry