Utopian_studies

Utopian studies

Utopian studies

Field of study

For the academic journal, see Utopian Studies.

Utopian studies is an interdisciplinary field of study that researches utopianism in all its forms, including utopian politics, utopian literature and art, utopian theory, and intentional communities. In a 1516 book with the same name, the term utopia was created by Sir Thomas More. Utopian studies can be subdivided into three major parts: study of utopian works, communitarianism and utopian social theory.[1] A study opposite to Utopian studies is Dystopian studies. While Utopias are non-existent societies people dream of, dystopias are essentially non-existent and non-desirable societies that individuals deem worse than their present society.[1] They are also known as negative utopias.[1]

A "Utopia" sign in Brazil.

History

Denis Vairasse is mentioned among the earliest scholars in this field.[1] His History of the Sevarambians contains one of the first thoughts on theoretical reflection on the concept of utopia: "Those who have read Plato's Republic or the Utopia of Thomas More or Chancellor Bacon's New Atlantis, which are in fact nothing more than the ingenious inventions ["imaginations"] of these authors, may think perhaps that this account of newly discovered countries, with all their marvels, is of a similar type ["sont de ce genre"]."[1]

After the Summer of Love in 1960s, there was a significant increase in utopian works.[1] The Society for Utopian Studies was founded in 1975 and the Utopian Studies Society was founded in 1988.

Significant utopian studies scholars (in roughly chronological order)

Principal research institutions, journals, conferences, societies, awards

Research institutions:

More information Name, Location ...

Societies:

Journals:

Conferences:

  • Society for Utopian Studies, annual
  • Utopian Studies Society, annual

Awards:

  • The Lyman Tower Sargent Distinguished Scholar Award, made by the Society for Utopian Studies.

Significant works

More information Authors/Editors, Description ...

References

  1. [1]
    "Peter Fitting -- A Short History of Utopian Studies". www.depauw.edu. 2009. Retrieved 26 December 2021.
  2. [2]
    "University of Limerick". ulsites.ul.ie. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
  3. [3]
    "Advanced Research in Utopian Studies in Italy". CETAPS. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
  4. [4]
    "Larry E. Hough Distinguished Service Award". The Society for Utopian Studies. 6 April 2013. Retrieved 28 December 2021.


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