Seminar in South and Southeast Asian Studies - Sensory Histories

Sensory history is an exciting and relatively new field of historical inquiry. It explores the role of the senses – sight, touch, smell, hearing and taste – in shaping history. In the words of Dr. Raquel Reyes, one of its leading practitioners, “it is based on the understanding that sensory perception is historically and culturally specific, bound to particular contexts and permeated by social values.” Drawing on a wide variety of readings, this graduate seminar will introduce participants to the most interesting analytical insights and methodological approaches offered by the leading practitioners in the field.