Agrarian Studies Program Fellowships

The Agrarian Studies Program appoints fellows annually who are in residence for the year, present a paper, and attend the colloquia. This year the Program has four Fellows whose diversity reflects the breadth of the program, and a Research Affiliate who has already made an important contribution to agrarian studies. We also encourage applications from knowledgeable "activists" and "public intellectuals" whose work on rural life transcends the academy.

Theme

The broad theme for the colloquium series of the Program in Agrarian Studies is “Hinterlands, Frontiers, Cities, and States: Transactions and Identities.”

We intend to examine, comparatively, from the broadest perspective, the various distinctions different societies make between, say, frontier, wilderness, arable countryside, city, town, agriculture, commerce, hills, lowlands, maritime districts, and inland — and the weight given them.

What are the key units in a given society and how have they changed historically? What do they denote as different cultural patterns, different forms of production and exchange, and as different patterns of settlement and social life? What is the nature of the transactions between these key units?

In the case of frontier or countryside and city, this would require attention to such issues as trade, credit, migration, kinship, economic dependency, and landownership at a minimum. In the case of the hinterland and the state, it would imply a concern with grain requisitions, corvée, taxes, conscription, judicial systems, law, rural administration, as well as with flight, resistance, and rebellion.

The cultural and symbolic content of these exchanges is as important as their material content. How do urban populations view the countryside and how are they, in turn, seen by villagers and farmers? How have these reciprocal views changed over time and how have they been expressed and codified in institutions, in cultural performances, and in social movements.

We believe this theme, broadly conceived, offers promising terrain for collaboration between humanists and social scientists and between students of Western and non-Western societies.

Eligibility and Criteria

The Program will offer a limited number of fellowships, normally for one academic year. Younger scholars as well as established scholars are encouraged to apply. Research interests in line with the theme are desirable but not required.

Graduate students who are working on their Ph.D.s may apply, but fellowship recipients must have completed their Ph.D. dissertations and present proof that they have received their Ph.D. degrees. Fellows are expected to be in residence in New Haven to take an active part in the intellectual exchange with other members of the Program.

Fellows are selected competitively.

Application -- Stage 1

A first-stage application for a fellowship consists of two items:

curriculum vitae
- limited to two (2) pages
- write name on both pages
- include FAX and contact numbers, and e-mail address
description of the research project to be pursued
- send ONLY two (2) pages
- write name on both pages
- send no cover letter, title page, footnote page, or references page
- the selection committe will see ONLY 2 pages from each applicant

Deadline

The due date for a first-stage application for 2013–2014 Fellows is Thursday, January 3, 2013. This is a firm deadline.

All applications must be submitted electronically, preferably in PDF format, and emailed to:

agrarian.studies@yale.edu

Applicants must adhere to the instructions and restrictions described above.

Application -- Stage 2

A short list of finalists will be contacted for letters of recommendation and a sample of their work. Stage 2 winners will be announced in March 2012.

Other Scholars

Scholars who are not applicants for a fellowship but would like to offer a paper to the Colloquium are asked to write to the Co-Directors, James C. Scott and K. Sivaramakrishnan, at the address below. We are unable, however, to fund the transportation costs of scholars giving papers who must come from outside North America to present a paper.

Contact

All inquiries and applications should be addressed to

Program in Agrarian Studies
Yale University
Box 208209
New Haven, CT 06520-8209
U.S.A.

campus address: 204 Prospect Street, Room 204
tel 203/432-9833 | fax 203/432-5036
email agrarian.studies@yale.edu