History Narration, Interpretation, Orientation [Paperback]

Without denying the importance of the postmodernist approach to the narrative form and rhetorical strategies of historiography, the author, one of Germany's most prominent cultural historians, argues here in favor of reason and methodical rationality in history. He presents a broad variety of aspects, factors and developments of historical thinking from the 18th century to the present, thus continuing, in exemplary fashion, the tradition of critical self-reflection in the humanities and looking at historical studies as an important factor of cultural orientation in practical life.

Jörn Rüsenwas Professor of Modern History at Universities Bochum and Bielefeld for many years. From 1994 to 1997 he was Director of the Center for Interdisciplinary Research (ZiF) at Bielefeld. Since 1997 he has been President of the Institute for Advanced Study in the Humanities Essen (Kulturwissenschaftliches Institut). He specialises in theory and methodology of historical sciences, the history of historiography, intercultural aspects of historical thinking, theory of historical learning, and the history of human rights.

List of Tables and Figures
Preface

Introduction:How to Understand Historical Thinking

PART I: NARRATION

Chapter 1.Historical Narration: Foundation, Types, Reason
Chapter 2.Narrative Competence: The Ontogeny of Historical and Moral Consciousness
Chapter 3.Rhetoric and Aesthetics of History: Leopold von Ranke
Chapter 4.Narrativity and Objectivity in Historical Studies

PART II: INTERPRETATION

Chapter 5.What is Historical Theory?
Chapter 6.New History: Paradigms of Interpretation
Chapter 7.Theoretical Approaches to an Intercultural Comparison of Historiography
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