사회인문학의 지평을 열며 - 그 출발점인 ‘공공성의 역사학’ -

Abstract

The Humanities Korea Project (HK) of the Institute for Korean Studies at Yonsei University undertakes the task of reviving “Social-Humanities” anew, which is not simply about combining humanities and social sciences, but also an effort to illuminate the nature of humanities as integrated studies by rehabilitating its original sociality. We envision the total humanities engaging in the present life, enhancing the understanding and real sense of society, and playing an active role of criticizing disciplinary fragmentation in the academic world. Its principle tasks are as follows: first, to reflect on its own historical development and its relationship to society by affirming humanities as a socially constructed set of knowledge; second, to precipitate collective dialogues across the disciplines in/outside of Korea; third, to secure a base for mutual understanding across the disciplines. This should prioritize social practicality rather than commercialization of culture. As Social-Humanities puts a particular emphasis on the engagement in the society and its social practicality, it becomes critically important to make social agenda academic issues and apply research results obtained from continuous discussions and critiques in the public sphere. Through this process, “publicity” emerges as a pivotal subject of study. “Publicity” not only sets the parameters of studies in the Social-Humanities, but also serves as a public sphere in which study and education take place; it is the field of communication between the in/outside of the institutionalized academics. To realize this attempt, the two tasks—the pursuit of a new humanities and the innovation within disciplines—must be linked together. The historiography of publicity is such an example of innovations that takes place within each discipline of humanities. This should be the starting point of reviving the Social-Humanities. In order to overcome the problem of modern historiography, the problem of relying on scientific methodology, thereby detaching itself from the life of common people, we suggest the characteristics of the historiography of publicity as follows: first, it is not a history of interpretation that seeks knowledge by delving in the causes and effects in the past. It is a history of identification; second, it prioritizes stories as a narrative form; third, it pursues historical criticism; fourth, the role of historiography as a Bildung, or self-education is crucial; fifth, it provides open spaces in which everyone, not just scholars, has a right to participate. The innovation of academic activities in the field of history can be carried out through the medium of the historiography of publicity. We start breaking the ground of the horizon of the Social-Humanities only when we can reach the point of intermingling various disciplines.