Is there a common identity in the Baltic Sea region? Has such an identity existed throughout history and, if so, to what extent has it been contested or modified over time? How should one analyse the methods and means that are used to connect people with each other by instilling feelings of belonging, loyalty and trust?

This doctoral-level seminar provides various ways to interpret the concept and manifestations of identity at the Baltic Sea Region. This is done by comparing and contrasting different overlapping and intersecting identities with each other. Although the main focus is not on national identities as such, this particular process of conscious identity building will be present throughout the course as a feature against which other identities are reflected.

The seminar consists of an intensive series of plenary lectures and three parallel workshops. In the first workshop, The Social Glue, we will take a look at how local or regional identities have been formed and what shared or mutual experiences help create them, particularly in the context of the Baltic Sea Region. In the second workshop, Networks of Interaction and Information, we raise the question of how local and other identity forming groups have been related to each other and how concrete inter-regional social networks of shared interests, information and experiences have functioned. And, finally, in the third workshop, Geopolitics and Invented Identities, the main theme is how (geo)politics and borderlines have been affecting and shaping identities over the region during the last five centuries.

This Helsinki Summer School seminar is organised and hosted by the University of the Helsinki and its Department of History, Department of Social Science History and the Centre for Nordic Studies (CENS). Doctoral students from Finnish and foreign universities are invited to participate and to propose a workshop paper no later than April 15, 2003. The Internet publication of the presented papers is planned.

Workshops

1) The Social Glue
This workshop studies the mechanisms of inclusion and exclusion - the presence or lack of social glue forming and shaping communities in the modern and contemporary Baltic Sea area. What must people have in common in order to have a common identity? Must they share a common homeland, language, social class, religion, political ideas or nationality? All of these or just some?
It is obvious that living in a particular geographical area does not necessarily imply a common identity. The boundaries of a social class or religion, for example, can extend far beyond state borders. One way these questions might be addressed in the Baltic Sea region is by comparing geographical areas where different languages are spoken on the one hand, and the social spheres of the elite languages and vernaculars of commoners on the other hand.
The responsible senior scholar in this workshop will be Research Director Henrik Stenius from the Centre for Nordic Studies at the Renvall Institute in the University of Helsinki.

2) Networks of Interaction and Information
This workshop focuses on the concrete mechanisms of different types of networks or ways of interaction that individual agents in the Baltic Sea region have used at various times in history. Using a local "micro" level approach and by comparing different kinds of networks, the workshop aims to reveal the various ways in which individuals choose among and cope with possible identities and other references.
Through examining interregional connections and information channels we will concentrate on the ways in which particular networking agents, such as seafaring merchants, from different parts of the area become and remain linked to each other.
The senior professor in this workshop will be Professor Yrjö Kaukiainen from the Department of History in the University of Helsinki.

3) Geopolitics and Invented Identities
The third workshop focuses on how local, regional and shared identities over traditional enemy borderlines have constituted important building blocks in the creation of national and imperial identities. These identities are discussed in a multi-disciplinary context, and they are defined not only as historical, but also as contemporary structures in the new EU and NATO environment.
Shifting geopolitical constellations have led to the establishment of a number of identity layers across the Baltic Sea region, and these, albeit in different combinations and with various emphases, have continued to play an important role on national levels. For example, how efficient was in fact the Swedish cleansing of Danish traditions in Scania (Skåne) during the late 17th century? Or did, despite the consequences of the Second World War, a German dimension survive in the Baltic national identities during the Cold War?
The leader of this workshop will be Professor Henrik Meinander from the Department of History, University of Helsinki.

Practical Details
The working language of the course is English, and all the papers proposed should be written in English. The plenary lecturers are eminent Finnish and foreign professors, who will also lead the workshops.

Each accepted workshop paper will have at least two senior specialist commentators. At least one of these commentaries will be delivered face to face during the workshop sessions, while the other may take place electronically. Participants are asked to prepare a workshop paper of 12-15 pages in length. It must include documentation in the form of footnotes, along with an adequate bibliography. The papers should be distributed to other workshop participants in advance, no later than two weeks before the beginning of the course. A good proposal will include a title, information about the author (name, affiliation, contacts, i.e. telephone and fax numbers, and an e-mail address), and an abstract of 250-350 words. The theme of the proposal should be related to one particular workshop. Proposals commenting on the main issue of the common, shared identities of the Baltic region are especially welcome. Proposals must be submitted to the organising committee by e-mail (plain text, PDF or as an RTF attachment) no later than April 15, 2003. Full participation in the course, including submission of a proper workshop paper, corresponds to 4 study credits at the University of Helsinki, or 8 ECTS credits.

A registration fee of 100 euros must be paid before 31 May 2003, and a course fee of 300 euros is payable when the course begins.

HSS2003 has limited possibilities to support participation by granting scholarships. Applications for these scholarships can be made in conjunction with submission of a proposal for a paper. In previous years the scholarship receivers have mainly been from Eastern European countries.

Organisers and Contact Information
More information about Helsinki Summer School and this seminar is available at http://summerschool.helsinki.fi. Helsinki Summer School staff (summer-school@helsinki.fi) will be happy to answer further questions concerning general arrangements, accommodation, scholarships, or fees.
Questions about seminar contents should be addressed to course coordinator Jouko Nurmiainen (jouko.nurmiainen@helsinki.fi).

The course organisers are looking forward seeing you this summer in Helsinki!