Center for Theories in Historical Research
“Denkraum Theorie” Study Group
Management and organization: Lars Deile, Jana K. Hoffmann, Lisa Regazzoni (all Universität Bielefeld) und Britta Hochkirchen (Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena)
Student Members:
This study group sees itself as an open forum for the exchange of ideas about theories, the synchronic and diachronic diversity of these theories, and their relation to history as an object of research. We would like to invite scholars and advanced students of the humanities interested in theory and keen on discussion to enter the “Denkraum Theorie” (theory thinking space) and help to shape it. Depending on the interests of the participants, we will decide on the priorities and working methods in the respective first semester session.
Interested persons are cordially invited to contact Lisa Regazzoni (lisa.regazzoni@uni-bielefeld.de)
Courses offered
- WiSe 2026/27: Theory Class "Materiell-relationale Ontologien und historisches Denken. Material-Relational Ontologies and Historical Thinking"
Relations and relationality are currently enjoying a surge in popularity. Whether it be Actor-Network Theory, New Materialisms, relational metaphysics, indigenous ontologies or New Animism, all these approaches currently represent attractive theoretical frameworks for the humanities and social sciences. What they have in common is that they prioritise relations over supposedly stable substances and entities, and conceive of the objects under investigation as relational structures or nodes. This semester, the study group is focusing on these material-relational ontologies and exploring their significance for historical thinking and historical research. The ‘Denkraum Theorie’ study group is organised by the Centre for Theories in Historical Research (ZThF) within the Department of History. It is aimed in particular at students and doctoral candidates at the Bielefeld Graduate School in History and Sociology who enjoy discussion and are interested in theory.
Regular attendance at the study group is recognised with 2 LP and a certificate of attendance issued by the Centre for Theories in Historical Research. Participation over several semesters is expressly encouraged, but not required.
The course is organised in collaboration with the research area ‘The Material as an Interface between Temporality and Historicity’ and the project ‘Towards a Material-Oriented Theory of History’ within the History Theory Research Group.
Venue: Room X-A2-103
· 16 October – 12:00–14:00
· 30 October – 12:00–16:00
· 13 November – 12:00–16:00
· 11 December – 12:00–16:00
· 22 January – 12:00–16:00
- SoSe 2026: Theory Class: "Denkraum Theorie"
The Denkraum Theorie study group is intended to offer an open discussion space in which participants can engage with theories and theoretical questions that are relevant to their own historical and/or art historical research. Within this framework, participants can acquire the difficult theoretical text that they would prefer to explore in a group, work their way towards the theory that they have long wanted to receive and/or pursue their curiosity about current theoretical debates in the humanities.
The study group is offered by the Centre for Theories in Historical Research of the Department of History. It is primarily aimed at students and doctoral students in the humanities who are interested in theory and keen to engage in discussion. Regular participation in the study group is recognised with 2 CP and a certificate of participation issued by the Centre for Theories in Historical Research. Participation over several semesters is very welcome, but not required.
In the first session on 10 April, from 10:00 to 12:00, we want to collect reading suggestions, form thematic clusters and organise the following three block sessions (on 8 May, 5 June, 26 May, each from 10:00 to 14:00) together.
More information- SoSe 2025: Theory Class: "Denkraum Theorie"
Course Management: Jana K. Hoffmann
More information- SoSe 2024: Theory Class "Denkraum Theorie: Zeit als Argument"
- WiSe 2023/24: Theory Class "Denkraum Theorie"
Course Management: Jana K. Hoffmann, Lisa Regazzoni, Britta Hochkirchen (Jena)
More Information- Summer Semester 2023: Theory Class "Denkraum Theorie: Laboratory in the Theory of History" in cooperation with the Centre for Philosophical Studies of History (University of Oulu)
Course Management: Lisa Regazzoni und Britta Hochkirchen (Universität Jena)
More Information- Winter Semester 2022/23: Theory/Methods Class „Denkraum Theorie: Koselleck Spezial“
Course Management: Jana K. Hoffmann, Lisa Regazzoni
More Information- Summer Semester 2022: Theory Class "Denkraum Theorie"
Course Management: Lars Deile
More Information- Winter semester 2021/22: Theory Class "Denkraum Theorie" with Etan Kleinberg
Course Management: Ethan Kleinberg und Britta Hochkirchen
More Information- Summer semester 2021: Theory Class "Denkraum Theorie"
Course Management: Lisa Regazzoni
More Information