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Panel 3 – arts
PANEL 3 – ARTS
CONTENTS
1. Introductory remarks................................................................................. 94
2. Department of Archaeology and Ancient History....................................... 95
3. Department of Art History and Musicology................................................ 99
4. Department of Cultural Sciences...............................................................105
5. Department of European Ethnology..........................................................110
6. Department of History..............................................................................116
7. SOL-Centre – Research Area Literature
(Language and Literature Centre)..............................................................121
1. Introductory remarks
In each their way the departments and divisions under consideration
by this panel take care of cultural and historical memory as well as
contemporary consciousness. Their subjects and the way in which they
are treated in research and in education based on research are of crucial
importance to the cultural and historical horizon of citizens in a world
that is marked by dramatic changes.
In many ways these academic disciplines are since the Nineteenth
century by tradition oriented towards national cultures and histories,
and in particular towards the national history and culture of the nation
in which the research takes place – Swedish history and Swedish culture
has thus had a very high priority in the Swedish context. Yet also foreign
cultures, in particular literatures, have been studied in each their national
context, usually in departments covering both language and literature.
These organizational structures and priorities have been challenged and
are increasingly challenged by modern history as well as by new developments
in the various fields of research.
The crucial role of culture and historical memory has become obvious in
the wake of changes not least in European politics in the context of globalization.
Migration, technological developments, and cultural exchanges
at the global level go beyond national – and European – borders.
Coming to terms with these changes is a task that calls for knowledge
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