The long-running medieval symposium series will move to a virtual format this year, as international scholars explore the topics of liberty, imprisonment and slavery.
Organized by Professor Albrecht Classen, of the Department of German Studies, this year’s online version is the 17th in the series.
Symposium 2020: Imprisonment, Slavery, and Freedom in the Middle Ages and the Early Modern Age, will be Nov. 21 and 22, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. each day, on Zoom.
“I am always looking for fundamental topics, and freedom, slavery, and prisons prove to be very critical issues. Current research has embarked on slavery, above all, and the combination of all three will forge a new path toward a better understanding of essential aspects of pre-modern life,” Classen says.
Of the 19 scholars presenting, 10 come from different countries in Europe, Africa and the Middle East, creating an important international exchange of ideas.
“I have been able to attract numerous new colleagues, many young in their careers, and their contributions promise to open new perspectives,” Classen says.