Centre for Research into Dynamics of Civilisation

Dynamics of Civilisation

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Events

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Lecture: ‘Big History’

Monday 28^th April

5pm J Z Young Lecture Theatre, G29 Anatomy

University College London, Gower St, London WC1H 0PY

SPEAKER	RESPONDENT
Geoffrey Parker (Ohio State University), Author of ‘How not to write a global history of the 17th century’	Jonathan Holmes (UCL, Geography)

This lecture is run by the Centre for Early Modern Exchanges with the support of CREDOC

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Calendars in Antiquity and the Middle Ages

Thursday 8th May 2014

Please click here for more information, and here to register.

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A CREDOC Provocation

Civilisation and Language

Tuesday 17th June 2014

5.30-7pm, Archaeology 612, 31-34 Gordon Square

followed by a reception, 7-8pm in the Archaeology Common Room

University College London, Gower St, London WC1H 0PY

Literacy and writing (when linked to urbanism, economic specialisation and bureaucracy) have  long been considered hallmarks of civilisation. We propose in this ‘provocation’ to unravel the basis of that assumption. We will ask instead: How are claims to superiority made by giving authority to one language over others?  How do speakers of languages come to regard their own and others as superior or inferior? How is superiority claimed through writing, language classifications, and ethnic or racial categories based on language exclusions? Language expansion and spread are the most often cited signifiers of the dynamics of civilisation. Contemporary notions of dysfunctional language acquisition and use are, on the other hand, imbued with ideas of civilisational deficiency. The CREDOC provocation will also explore alternative images of the relationship between communication and civilisation.

All are welcome. Registration is not required. Open to the public.

SPEAKERS

Stephen Colvin, Dept of Greek and Latin, UCL Lily Kahn, Dept of Hebrew and Jewish Studies, UCL Bencie Woll, Dept of Cognitive, Perceptual and Brain Sciences, UCL Philip Jagger, Dept of Languages and Culture of Africa, SOAS

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