CALL FOR PAPERS – “THE FUTURE OF THE PAST”

Rethinking History: The Journal of Theory and Practice (Routledge)seeks papers or proposals for a special issue devoted to the topic 'The Future of the Past'.

Given the nature of this issue, the editors will not provide examples of possible topics or themes -- it is, after all, the visions and imaginaries of historians in the broadest sense of the word (including academics, filmmakers, novelists, biographers, graphic artists, museum directors, etc) who will create the past in the future. What we wish to encourage is creative, experimental, innovative and unconventional pieces that think, rethink, theorize, and also practice possible future histories.

Over thirty years ago, in his AHA Presidential Address, C. Vann Woodward quoted Roy F. Nichols’ 1948 declaration that history was neither art, nor science, nor literature, but that it was sui generis -- a form of knowledge with its own character and methods. In this themed issue the journal seeks to explore not just what is history but what might history be by representing the best current thinking about the major epistemological, theoretical and practical questions that lie at the heart of our vision of the future of history.

The deadline for submitting proposals is September 30, 2003; the deadline for submitting completed manuscripts is March 31, 2004. The issue will be published in 2004-05

Proposals may be submitted electronically (by e-mail attachment) to either address.

The editors are always happy to discuss your ideas even before the proposal stage. For further information contact the editors.