Historicizing Universalisms: Reflections on Studying Law and Culture
James Loeffler, Johns Hopkins University
How does the particular become the universal? In this seminar, James Loeffler discusses methodological approaches to historicizing key modern universal concepts ranging from human rights to classical music to racism. Using case studies drawn from his work, Dr. Loeffler looks at how multidisciplinary Jewish Studies presents new possibilities for thinking the universal in contemporary thought.
James Loeffler is Felix Posen Professor of Jewish History at Johns Hopkins University. His writings include two award-winning books, Rooted Cosmopolitans: Jews and Human Rights in the Twentieth Century and The Most Musical Nation: Jews and Culture in the Late Russian Empire. He is currently writing a book about antisemitism and the First Amendment in postwar America.
Cosponsored by UWM’s Center for 21st Century Studies; Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; History Department; and Honors College