The concept of identity formation is an innovative and multidisciplinary approach that offers a way of understanding, not only the French Revolution, but revolutionary movements in general. Common Seminar readings (in English) will focus on the French Revolution, but the conceptual framework of the Seminar is relevant to other revolutionary episodes and to cultural issues in a wide variety of contexts. Applicants whose interests would add a comparative or interdisciplinary viewpoint to the discussions are welcome.

Issues the Seminar will address include processes of collective identity transformation, the development of revolutionary and counter-revolutionary identities, changes in gender roles and religious identification in revolutionary contexts, and the tensions caused by conflicting identities. Seminar participants will be able to draw on the Newberry Library's extraordinary collection of French Revolutionary pamphlets, as well as its rich holdings of Revolutionary newspapers and of materials related to the early modern period throughout Europe and the Atlantic world.

The Seminar is open to faculty in undergraduate teaching institutions in disciplines such as history, literature, philosophy, political thought, and art history, to librarians with instructional responsibilities at undergraduate teaching institutions, to scholars employed at museums, libraries, and historical societies, and to qualified independent scholars. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or foreign nationals who have been residing in the U.S. for at least three years. Reading knowledge of French is NOT required. Participants who have been accepted into the Seminar will receive a stipend of $3,250 to help cover living and travel expenses.

THE APPLICATION DEADLINE IS 1 MARCH 2001