[Discussion] Masculinities and History

[Sule Tarakcioglu]

*Left History Special Issue - Masculinities and History*
*Location:* 	Ontario
<http://www.h-net.org/announce/geography.cgi?geography=Canada&location=Ontario>, 

Canada <http://www.h-net.org/announce/geography.cgi?geography=Canada>

	

	

	

Since it emerged in the 1990s, masculinity studies has attracted support
and criticism from feminist and non-feminist historians alike. Recent
work has built upon Robert Connell's Masculinities while broadening
critical analysis within the field. Even so, there remains unease within
the field about its present situation and future direction.

In one provocative critique, Bryce Traister has argued that masculinity
studies has only succeeded in resituating heterosexual white men at the
centre of academic inquiry. In another, Toby L. Ditz has suggested that
the renewed emphasis masculinity studies places upon the roles of men
has encountered a reluctance amongst its scholars to examine gendered
narratives of power - narratives that more often than not have
privileged these very roles.

Does this absence indicate a new direction in the field? Or does it
simply evidence a discomfort with the politics of masculinity studies?
These questions, central to this debate, have led us in turn to wonder
what the larger politics of masculinity studies are. Women's studies, as
a field, developed with a clear political agenda in the 1970s;
masculinity studies appear to possess no such agenda. In light of these
issues, and the field's relative youth, it seems timely to ask: can the
history of masculinity indeed be conceived of as 'left' history?

Left History is seeking submissions for a special issue on Masculinities
and History with an emphasis upon articles that engage with current
debates surrounding the field and which highlight the politics of its
practice.

Left History accepts articles on research and theory, as well as reviews
and debates, for consideration in print. We also welcome creative
pieces, interviews, debates and photographs for our online edition.

	The Editors, Left History
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York University
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Email: lefthist@yorku.ca <mailto:lefthist@yorku.ca>
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