Contribution of Dr. Kaspar Gubler, University of Bern:
“Conforming Scholars, Deviant Students: Academic Conflict Cultures in the Holy Roman Empire (1250–1550)”
The paper explores patterns of deviant behavior and conflict cultures among scholars and students in the Holy Roman Empire between 1250 and 1550. It examines historical sources, including university registers and archival records, to assess differences in conduct between these groups. While scholars generally adhered to societal norms due to their professional and social obligations, students displayed a higher tendency for disruptive behavior and conflict. The paper presents specific case studies from university records and ecclesiastical archives, illustrating varying degrees of rule-breaking, discipline, and criminality. Additionally, it discusses the application of digital methodologies in historical research, demonstrating how quantitative data analysis, data visualization, and qualitative microhistorical approaches contribute to a deeper understanding of premodern academic cultures. By integrating these methods, the study provides new insights into the relationship between education, social structures, and deviance in premodern Europe.
Program:
Program_Deviance_Conference_Prague_2025 (PDF)
Devianz, Kriminalität und Disziplin im akademischen Raum des Mittelalters und der Frühen Neuzeit, in: H-Soz-Kult, 05.01.2025, https://www.hsozkult.de/event/id/event-152253.