Call for journal articles – “Fabricating History: Representations, Manipulation, Evidence”

The Hungarian Historical Review invites submissions for its Fall 2014 issue, the theme of which will be “Fabricating History: Representations, Manipulation, Evidence”

The deadline for the submission of abstracts: June 30, 2013.

What are the relationships between forms of representing the past and the prevailing regimes of evidence? Focusing on Central and Eastern Europe, this thematic journal issue will suggest bringing the study of facts, factuality, realism, credibility and acceptability back in historical theory. Five typical and paradigmatic cases are given particular attention: uses of historical argument in jurisdiction, archives and museums, monuments, visual representations (iconology, photographs, documentary films) and historiography proper.

We invite contributions concentrating on the ways in which these various representations of history use criteria of credibility, how they convince their audiences using different types of culturally defined historical evidence and how they try to present authentic statements on the past. We encourage a focus on the epistemological possibilities of obtaining knowledge: procedures of generation, modes of representation and manners of reception.

How do we render abstract historical representations authentic? What are the conditions according to which a historical interpretation can be accepted as valid or rejected as invalid? What types of techniques, evidence and procedures – such as trials, museums, documentaries, witnesses, traditional archival records or new media footage – have come to the fore in attempts to establish the authenticity, realism or credibility of various historical representations? What are the methods of casting doubts on these techniques and representations? What is the role of the historian in producing these means? How does the historian’s expertise in working with historical sources, experience with source criticism, and dedication to the distinction between real documents and forgeries contribute to this production of authenticity? And what is the responsibility of the historical profession under these conditions? What are the morality and ethics of the practice of history today?

Although the issue will focus on modern Central and Eastern Europe, the discussion goes beyond the borders of East-Central European debates about the representations of contemporary history. The fabrication of history is not a modern phenomenon. Therefore, essays dedicated to medieval and early modern practices reflecting on premodern and modern similarities and differences are also highly welcome. As problems of authenticity, truth, evidence or credibility were of particular relevance in the periods of transformation between oral and written proofs, canon law and Roman law, handwritten and printed texts, biblical arguments and scientific method, medieval and early modern studies will unquestionably contribute to the discussion.

We provide proofreading for contributors who are not native speakers of English.

Please send an abstract of no more than 500 words and a short biographical sketch, together with a brief biography and selected list of three publications (we do not accept CVs).

The editors will ask the authors of selected papers (max. 10 000 words) to submit their final articles no later than January 31, 2014.

All articles must conform to our submission guidelines http://hunghist.org/index.php/forauthors
The deadline for the submission of abstracts: June 30, 2013.
Proposals should be submitted to the organizers by email:
hunghist@btk.mta.hu
The Hungarian Historical Review is a peer-reviewed international journal of the social
sciences and humanities the geographical focus of which is Hungary and East Central Europe.
For additional information, including submission guidelines, please visit the journal’s
website: http://www.hunghist.org
The Hungarian Historical Review
Published quarterly by the Hungarian Academy of Sciences
Research Centre for the Humanities
Institute of History
30 Országház utca, Budapest H – 1014, Hungary
Email: hunghist@btk.mta.hu
Website: www.hunghist.org