The Max Planck Summer Academy for Legal History provides a selected group of highly motivated early-stage graduate students, usually PhD candidates, with an in-depth introduction to basic approaches and methods in legal history. The academy consists of two parts. The first part provides an introduction to the study of sources, methodological principles, as well as theoretical models and controversial research debates on basic research fields of legal history. In the second part, the participants discuss the special research theme and develop their own approach to the topic.

This year’s theme : Law in Texts and Contexts

Written texts represent the largest part of the sources of legal history. Obviously, they cannot be understood without their respective historical contexts. In recent decades, however, there has been a growing awareness that they must also be read with specific attention to their mediality and their interrelation with visual and oral sources, as well as objects and artefacts. Historians, but also legal theorists, are reflecting more intensively about textuality and normativity, and digital humanities seem to hold great opportunities for legal historical research. What do these developments mean for legal historical research, and its specific task?
Applicants to the 2019 Summer Academy are encouraged to present research projects that give special consideration to the connection between normativity and textuality.

Eligibility Requirements
- Early-stage graduates, usually PhD candidates
- Working knowledge of English is required, German is not a prerequisite

Applications have to be supported by a CV, a project summary
(approx. 10 pages) and a letter of motivation.

There is no participation fee. Accommodation will be provided by the
organisers. Participants, however, will be responsible for covering their
travel expenses. There will be a limited number of scholarships available.