Survey on History of Mentalities

The purpose of the following questions is to gain a general idea of how the discipline of history of mentalities/histoire de mentalités is currently used by academics in their current research and teaching practice.  A precise definition of the discipline is not given, as it finding out how people describe it forms part of the inquiry.

1. Do you consider history of mentalities a legitimate and useful tool in your personal research?

2. If so, how would you define the discipline?  Please give a concise (200-500 words)

3. In what ways do you consider it useful to your work?

4. Do you incorporate the history of mentalities into your teaching at (a) undergraduate and/or (b) graduate level courses?  Name any relevant courses.

5. If so, do you teach it as  (a) a specific methodology, with its own laws of evidence, and/or (b) an additional set of insights?

6. Which writers do you consider as the founders or main authorities within the field of history of mentalities?

7. List any of your own books or articles which you believe fall into the category of history of mentalities.

Thanks for your time and effort in this survey.

Please provide your name, title,  department, institutional address.

Return before 30 September 2003 by email or snailmail to:

Dr.  Norman Simms

Editor, Mentalities/Mentalités

University of Waikato

Private Bag 3105

Hamilton, New Zealand

nsimms@waikato.ac.nz