Module 'Circulations'  in La Sage VS, organised by Prof. Christian Ghasarian, Prof. Marion Fresia and Prof. Janine Dahinden, Neuchâtel, with Allan Hanson and George Marcus.

This module will reflect on the circulation of ideas, persons and items in our contemporary world. Circulations of different kinds, fostered by the current transnationalisation of social realities, technological means and communication, affect social actors at various levels of their personal and professional life. Institutions, representations and social practices are influenced by models, which are often defined as “global”, although they can have a localized origin. Obvious economical forces drive the circulation of ideas, persons and items. But these forces can also be political, cultural or religious. In all cases, any transfer or circulation involves processes of re-appropriation and selective choices. Power relations, made of negotiations, adjustments, adoptions, or reinterpretations, and strategies of resistance are involved in the representations, discourses and practices of people engaged in theses processes.  “Global” models, whatever their origin, are therefore always articulated to local and regional, social and cultural dynamics and contribute to constantly redefine plurial and synchretic societies.
This module will reflect on this notion of “circulation” and the various theoretical and methodological approaches that have been developed to study its underlying dynamics. Participants will explore to what extent these dynamics are based on reciprocal influences but also dominant models which are more hegemonic. What are the continuities, innovations and syncretism these circulation involve in the representations and practices of social actors ? Is the notion of power always relevant to the analysis of the circulations, and if so, how? Research papers will explore these questions, highlighting the diversity of scale of observations (macro, meso and micro) the study of our contemporary world can offer, and the theoretical; methodological and epistemological challenges involved in the study of complex circulatory phenomenon.
The module will last two days and will be facilitated by Professors from the Institute of Ethnlogy and the Maison d’analyse des processus sociaux, as well as two foreign invited experts. PhD students will present one aspect of their research, which is linked to the general theme of circulation, drawing on a concrete case study as well as on larger theoretical reflexions.

Venue :  Hôtel de la Sage,  La Sage, canton de Valais.

Date: May 21./22. 2010
Invited experts : Allan Hanson (University of Kansas) ; George Marcus (University of California).
Professors responsible of the workshop: Christian Ghasarian (Institut d’ethnologie) ; Marion Fresia (Institut d’ethnologie); Janine Dahinden (Maison d’analyse des processus sociaux)