Guest researcher Serpil Cilgin: Semiotics in the First Crusade

For the Autumn semester of 2024, guest researcher Dr. Serpil Cilgin will be visiting the Department while working on a research project on semiotic elements in the First Crusade. Serpil Cilgin is a Medieval Historian specializing in history of religious propaganada with a semiotic approach. 

What brought you to SU and our department?

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Professor Kurt V. Jensen has significant searchs on the subject of the First Crusade, also his works shed light to some area of the expedition which is less studied. Moreover at the University of Stockholm there is a rich milieu of Medieval studies which would allow research opportunities. 

What will you be focusing on during your time here? 

– During my stay I will conduct a research project named: ‘A Semiotic Approach to the First Crusade’ under the guidance of Professor Kurt V. Jensen. The aim of th research is to reveal the importance of semiotic elements that played an important role during the call and campaign of the First Crusade, one of the most destructive mass violent movements of the Middle Ages, which left a significant mark on the world history and whose effects still continue. 

What do you hope your research will accomplish? 

– I hope that investigating the elements that played a role in the expedition, will contribute to emphasizing the importance of peace and shedding light on both the present and the future by examining an important mass violence movement initiated by religious discourses in the past.

 

About 

Serpil Cilgin, guest researcher within in the scope of Tübitak-2219 overseas post-doctoral research scholarship program. 

BA Advertising and Communication; MA Medieval History; PhD Medieval History 

Research area: Mass violent movements during the Middle Ages, namely Crusades initiated with religious rethoric. History of religious propaganda with a semiotic approach. Religious movements, impact of signs (such as the cross, dreams, visions, etc.) during the crusade propaganda: comperative studies of religious and political milieu of Islamic and Christian world in the Middle Ages.