Author Archives: briansandberg

The Politics of Ark Building

Posted on October 5, 2013 by briansandberg

Originally posted on Cluster for the Study of Religious Violence:
Replicas of Noah’s Ark are being built in various locations around the world. The ark-building movement is related to a particular form of Christian politics and Creationism. The Creation Museum…

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Twilight of Berlusconi?

Posted on October 3, 2013 by briansandberg

Silvio Berlusconi tried, but failed, to topple the coalition government of Italy this week. A threatened mutiny in his own party forced him to reverse his position and back the government of Enrico Letta during a vote of confidence on … Continue reading →

Posted in European History, European Union, Italian History, Political Culture | Leave a comment

NIU Joins Council for European Studies

Posted on October 1, 2013 by briansandberg

Northern Illinois University recently joined the Council for European Studies. “Northern Illinois University has been approved for membership to the Council for European Studies (CES) Academic Consortium, an international coalition of universities, centers and other organizations dedicated to furthering the … Continue reading →

Posted in European History, European Union, Graduate Work in History, Northern Illinois University, Study Abroad, Undergraduate Work in History | Leave a comment

Changing Organization of Al-Shabab

Posted on September 28, 2013 by briansandberg

Originally posted on Cluster for the Study of Religious Violence:
The al-Shabab organization has clearly been evolving over the past months, perhaps leading to its spectacular attack on Westgate Mall in Nairobi, Kenya, last week. Analysts who study terrorist organizations…

Posted in Civil Conflict, Civilians and Refugees in War, History of Violence, Religious Politics, Religious Violence, Terrorism, War, Culture, and Society | Leave a comment

Is Violence Contagious?

Posted on September 28, 2013 by briansandberg

A new article in The Atlantic provocatively states that “Violence is Contagious.” Drawing on recent sociological and psychological studies, the article suggests that violence spreads like an epidemic. Certainly, metaphors frequently compare violence to a disease. Waves of violence are … Continue reading →

Posted in Arms Control, Civil Conflict, Civilians and Refugees in War, History of Violence, Religious Violence, Revolts and Revolutions, Terrorism, War, Culture, and Society | Leave a comment

Artiste nel chiostro

Posted on September 27, 2013 by briansandberg

A conference on Ariste nel chiostro (Artists in the Cloister), is being held on 4-5 October 2013 in Firenze. In 1938, Giovanna Pierattini published her groundbreaking study on nun artist Suor Plautilla Nelli in the journal Memorie Domenicane. To mark … Continue reading →

Posted in Art History, Conferences, Early Modern Europe, Early Modern World, Italian History, Mediterranean World, Noble Culture and History of Elites, Religious History, Renaissance Art and History, Women and Gender History | 1 Comment

European War and Society Position

Posted on September 27, 2013 by briansandberg

The Department of History at Sam Houston State University invites applications for a tenure-track assistant or associate professorship in European military history with a start date in August 2014. Ph.D. required by the time of appointment. In addition to the … Continue reading →

Posted in Careers in History, European History, History of Violence, War, Culture, and Society | Leave a comment

History and Politics in France

Posted on September 22, 2013 by briansandberg

History and politics are often closely entwined in France. Even academic historians sometimes engage directly in social commentary and political activity, sometimes referred to as histoire engagé. Some historians have taken engagement a step further to become local or national … Continue reading →

Posted in European History, European Union, French History, Paris History, Political Culture | Leave a comment

Al-Shabab Attack in Nairobi

Posted on September 22, 2013 by briansandberg

Originally posted on Cluster for the Study of Religious Violence:
The militant group Al-Shabab has claimed responsibility for an attack by multiple gunmen at a shopping mall in Nairobi known as the Westgate centre. The BBC reports that “The attackers…

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Mediterranean World Workshop Events

Posted on September 22, 2013 by briansandberg

The Mediterranean World Workshop at Northern Illinois University participated in two events on campus this week. Members of the Mediterranean World Workshop attended a public lecture by Julia Clancy-Smith (Professor, University of Arizona) on “From Sidi BouZid to Sidi Bou … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Modern World, Graduate Work in History, Lectures and Seminars, Mediterranean World, Northern Illinois University | Leave a comment