Theory, Method and Practice in Social and Cultural History: (Problems in Method & Theory of Social History: the Pittsburgh Centre S.)

Two decades ago, historical practice in the United States and Europe was challenged by social historians with "behaviourist" approaches which diverged from the discipline's traditional preferences for textual evidence. Such accounts explained occurences in terms of individual intention and a narrative presentation of results. But such behaviourist trends by no means swept the field of social history, and current historical practices go in yet another direction. Today what is widely called for involves actor-centred accounts that do not focus upon individuals to the exclusion of groups, markets, cultures and other socially-defined fields of action, and that consider power in human societies as well as the limitations upon that power. Recognising that historical practices as well as method and discourse are in flux, this book is the result of the second biennial conference of the Pittsburgh Center for Social History, in which a number of scholars in the field reflect on the prevailing situation in historical writing and research.

About the Author :
Peter Karsten is Professor of History at the University of Pittsburgh and Co-Director of the Pittsburgh Center for Social History. John Modell is Professor of History at Carnegie Mellon University.

Review :
"A pioneering work, written in accessible language and an engaging style." -"Journal of Shi'a Islamic Studies", "Offers the first extensive description of a religious community representing up to one-fifth of all American Muslims." -"CHOICE", "A unique and comprehensive study of the life and history of the Shi'i community in North America. . . . It will no doubt stimulate much discussion and investigation of a minority within the Muslim community which continues to play a major role in the political, economic, and social life of today's world. The book is accessible to the interested educated reader and is a must read for academics engaged in research into the place of the Shi'i community in North America and the world." -Mahmoud Ayoub, author of "Islam: Faith and History" "Although less numerous than Sunni Muslims, the new book Shi'ism in America does a good job of showing how the other major branch of Islam is becoming more ethnically diverse, independent from home country leadership and socially active." -"Religion Watch", "Takim, an academic scholar of Islam and a Shi'i religious leader, is perfectly positioned to provide this timely and definitive overview of the diverse American Shi'a community." -Marcia Hermansen, Loyola University, Chicago