Centre for British Studies
Encyclopedia
Part of Humboldt University of Berlin
, the Centre for British Studies /Großbritannienzentrum (GBZ) is an interdisciplinary institute committed to teaching and research focused on the United Kingdom
. In addition to interdisciplinary research projects and its postgraduate "Master in British Studies" (M.B.S) course the Centre offers a broad range of events for the public. The GBZ is the only of its kind in the German-speaking world.
and the British ambassador
, the Centre celebrated its tenth anniversary
in the summer of 2005. The Centre was established in recognition of the UK’s role as one of the Western powers which protected West-Berlin during the Cold War
. Queen Elizabeth II had already taken an interest in the plan to establish such a centre on her state visit
to Berlin in 1992. Subsequently HRH The Prince of Wales
paid his respect to the GBZ on the occasion of his visit at the end of 1995. The purpose of the Centre is to offer an institutional framework for interdisciplinary research, for teaching British Studies, and for furthering public relations
between Britain
and Germany
. As an area studies
institute the Centre is part of a larger network of area studies departments of the Berlin
universities: The Centre for French Studies http://www.geisteswissenschaften.fu-berlin.de/frankreichzentrum/index.html (now at Free University
), the John F. Kennedy Institute for North American Studies http://www.jfki.fu-berlin.de/en/index.html(Free University
), the Department for Northern European Studies http://www2.hu-berlin.de/ni/index.html.en at the (Humboldt University
) and the Centre for Modern Oriental Studies
http://www.zmo.de/index_e.html
Due to its interdisciplinary nature the GBZ is not part of one of the faculties of the Humboldt University
, but enjoys the status of an independent institute.
The academic staff consists of three professor
s for (British Literature
and Culture
, for legal, economic and social structures of the UK, and for British History
. In addition to that the Centre employs five research assistant
s, a librarian
and three supporting staff.
A number of larger-scale research projects have been conducted at the Centre, including “Representations of Emotions in Cultural History”, “Structures of Cultural Transformation”, and “Cultures of Commerce”. The Centre has also organised a number of conferences dealing with current issues like “The Media Debate”, “The Future of the Welfare State”, “Parliamentary Cultures” and “Charity Law and Change”. In some cases these have been joint ventures with the British Council
and the British Embassy. These conferences have attracted not only academics, but also politician
s and businessmen from both countries.
, legal structures, literature
, art
, economic- and social history, the political system
as well as the social structures of the UK. In the second semester the students can choose between two options that are to prepare them for two sections of the labour market. These options comprise “Economics, Law and Politics” on the one hand, or “The Media, Culture and Cultural Management” on the other. Following the certificate phase, the students are required to undertake a three-month work placement in the UK in order to acquire direct experience of working and living cultures in the UK. Subsequently, the student will complete the course programme by writing and submitting a Master Thesis, whose theme may be selected by the student, and which should be related to one of the wide range of topics that were addressed in the programme. The successful graduates are awarded the degree “Master in British Studies” (M.B.S.).
, other Centres for British Studies have also been founded at the University of Applied Sciences Zittau/ Görlitz in 1999 and at the University of Bamberg in 2000.
Humboldt University of Berlin
The Humboldt University of Berlin is Berlin's oldest university, founded in 1810 as the University of Berlin by the liberal Prussian educational reformer and linguist Wilhelm von Humboldt, whose university model has strongly influenced other European and Western universities...
, the Centre for British Studies /Großbritannienzentrum (GBZ) is an interdisciplinary institute committed to teaching and research focused on the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. In addition to interdisciplinary research projects and its postgraduate "Master in British Studies" (M.B.S) course the Centre offers a broad range of events for the public. The GBZ is the only of its kind in the German-speaking world.
History
The Centre for British Studies is an interdisciplinary research and teaching institute at Humboldt University. Inaugurated on 15 July 1995 by the governing mayor of BerlinBerlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
and the British ambassador
Ambassador
An ambassador is the highest ranking diplomat who represents a nation and is usually accredited to a foreign sovereign or government, or to an international organization....
, the Centre celebrated its tenth anniversary
Anniversary
An anniversary is a day that commemorates or celebrates a past event that occurred on the same day of the year as the initial event. For example, the first event is the initial occurrence or, if planned, the inaugural of the event. One year later would be the first anniversary of that event...
in the summer of 2005. The Centre was established in recognition of the UK’s role as one of the Western powers which protected West-Berlin during the Cold War
Cold War
The Cold War was the continuing state from roughly 1946 to 1991 of political conflict, military tension, proxy wars, and economic competition between the Communist World—primarily the Soviet Union and its satellite states and allies—and the powers of the Western world, primarily the United States...
. Queen Elizabeth II had already taken an interest in the plan to establish such a centre on her state visit
State visit
A state visit is a formal visit by a foreign head of state to another nation, at the invitation of that nation's head of state. State visits are the highest form of diplomatic contact between two nations, and are marked by ceremonial pomp and diplomatic protocol. In parliamentary democracies, heads...
to Berlin in 1992. Subsequently HRH The Prince of Wales
Prince of Wales
Prince of Wales is a title traditionally granted to the heir apparent to the reigning monarch of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the 15 other independent Commonwealth realms...
paid his respect to the GBZ on the occasion of his visit at the end of 1995. The purpose of the Centre is to offer an institutional framework for interdisciplinary research, for teaching British Studies, and for furthering public relations
Public relations
Public relations is the actions of a corporation, store, government, individual, etc., in promoting goodwill between itself and the public, the community, employees, customers, etc....
between Britain
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. As an area studies
Area studies
Area studies are interdisciplinary fields of research and scholarship pertaining to particular geographical, national/federal, or cultural regions. The term exists primarily as a general description for what are, in the practice of scholarship, many heterogeneous fields of research, encompassing...
institute the Centre is part of a larger network of area studies departments of the Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
universities: The Centre for French Studies http://www.geisteswissenschaften.fu-berlin.de/frankreichzentrum/index.html (now at Free University
Free University of Berlin
Freie Universität Berlin is one of the leading and most prestigious research universities in Germany and continental Europe. It distinguishes itself through its modern and international character. It is the largest of the four universities in Berlin. Research at the university is focused on the...
), the John F. Kennedy Institute for North American Studies http://www.jfki.fu-berlin.de/en/index.html(Free University
Free University of Berlin
Freie Universität Berlin is one of the leading and most prestigious research universities in Germany and continental Europe. It distinguishes itself through its modern and international character. It is the largest of the four universities in Berlin. Research at the university is focused on the...
), the Department for Northern European Studies http://www2.hu-berlin.de/ni/index.html.en at the (Humboldt University
Humboldt University of Berlin
The Humboldt University of Berlin is Berlin's oldest university, founded in 1810 as the University of Berlin by the liberal Prussian educational reformer and linguist Wilhelm von Humboldt, whose university model has strongly influenced other European and Western universities...
) and the Centre for Modern Oriental Studies
Centre for Modern Oriental Studies
The Centre for Modern Oriental Studies is a German research institute in Berlin. The researchers focus on comparative study of the Middle East, Africa, South and Southeast Asia from a historical and social scientific perspective. Current research topics focus on predominantly Muslim societies and...
http://www.zmo.de/index_e.html
Due to its interdisciplinary nature the GBZ is not part of one of the faculties of the Humboldt University
Humboldt University of Berlin
The Humboldt University of Berlin is Berlin's oldest university, founded in 1810 as the University of Berlin by the liberal Prussian educational reformer and linguist Wilhelm von Humboldt, whose university model has strongly influenced other European and Western universities...
, but enjoys the status of an independent institute.
The academic staff consists of three professor
Professor
A professor is a scholarly teacher; the precise meaning of the term varies by country. Literally, professor derives from Latin as a "person who professes" being usually an expert in arts or sciences; a teacher of high rank...
s for (British Literature
Literature
Literature is the art of written works, and is not bound to published sources...
and Culture
Culture
Culture is a term that has many different inter-related meanings. For example, in 1952, Alfred Kroeber and Clyde Kluckhohn compiled a list of 164 definitions of "culture" in Culture: A Critical Review of Concepts and Definitions...
, for legal, economic and social structures of the UK, and for British History
History
History is the discovery, collection, organization, and presentation of information about past events. History can also mean the period of time after writing was invented. Scholars who write about history are called historians...
. In addition to that the Centre employs five research assistant
Research assistant
A research assistant is a researcher employed, often on a temporary contract, by a university or a research institute, for the purpose of assisting in academic research...
s, a librarian
Librarian
A librarian is an information professional trained in library and information science, which is the organization and management of information services or materials for those with information needs...
and three supporting staff.
A number of larger-scale research projects have been conducted at the Centre, including “Representations of Emotions in Cultural History”, “Structures of Cultural Transformation”, and “Cultures of Commerce”. The Centre has also organised a number of conferences dealing with current issues like “The Media Debate”, “The Future of the Welfare State”, “Parliamentary Cultures” and “Charity Law and Change”. In some cases these have been joint ventures with the British Council
British Council
The British Council is a United Kingdom-based organisation specialising in international educational and cultural opportunities. It is registered as a charity both in England and Wales, and in Scotland...
and the British Embassy. These conferences have attracted not only academics, but also politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
s and businessmen from both countries.
The study programme
The Centre for British Studies launched the postgraduate study programme “Master in British Studies” (M.B.S.) in 1999. It is designed for German and international graduate students from all academic disciplines. The programme lasts a total of three semesters, the first two of which constitute the taught element of the course (Certificate Phase) and take place at the Centre in Berlin. Teaching is offered not only by full-time staff working at the Centre, but also by guest lecturers from the UK and representatives of British companies and institutions. In the “Core programme”, which takes place during the first semester, the students are familiarised with the historyHistory
History is the discovery, collection, organization, and presentation of information about past events. History can also mean the period of time after writing was invented. Scholars who write about history are called historians...
, legal structures, literature
Literature
Literature is the art of written works, and is not bound to published sources...
, art
Art
Art is the product or process of deliberately arranging items in a way that influences and affects one or more of the senses, emotions, and intellect....
, economic- and social history, the political system
Political system
A political system is a system of politics and government. It is usually compared to the legal system, economic system, cultural system, and other social systems...
as well as the social structures of the UK. In the second semester the students can choose between two options that are to prepare them for two sections of the labour market. These options comprise “Economics, Law and Politics” on the one hand, or “The Media, Culture and Cultural Management” on the other. Following the certificate phase, the students are required to undertake a three-month work placement in the UK in order to acquire direct experience of working and living cultures in the UK. Subsequently, the student will complete the course programme by writing and submitting a Master Thesis, whose theme may be selected by the student, and which should be related to one of the wide range of topics that were addressed in the programme. The successful graduates are awarded the degree “Master in British Studies” (M.B.S.).
Other institutions
Following the foundation of the Centre for British Studies at the Humboldt University of BerlinHumboldt University of Berlin
The Humboldt University of Berlin is Berlin's oldest university, founded in 1810 as the University of Berlin by the liberal Prussian educational reformer and linguist Wilhelm von Humboldt, whose university model has strongly influenced other European and Western universities...
, other Centres for British Studies have also been founded at the University of Applied Sciences Zittau/ Görlitz in 1999 and at the University of Bamberg in 2000.
External links
- Centre for British Studies/ Großbritannien-Zentrum Berlin
- GBZ Bamberg
- GBZ Zittau
- German Association for the Study of British Cultures
- German Association for the Study of British History and Politics
- British Council Germany
Sources
- Gerlach, Rita, "Lord PattenChris PattenChristopher Francis Patten, Baron Patten of Barnes, CH, PC , is the last Governor of British Hong Kong, a former British Conservative politician, and the current chairman of the BBC Trust....
besuchte das Großbritannien-Zentrum", in: HUMBOLDT, 02.11.2006, p. 2 http://www2.hu-berlin.de/presse/zeitung/archiv/06_07/num_2/Humboldt_Nov06_Web_end.pdf
- Gerlach, Rita, „Very British, indeed. Extra-Seite zum 10-jährigen Bestehen des GBZ“, in: HUMBOLDT, 09.06.2005, S. 3 (http://www2.hu-berlin.de/gbz/archive/pressarchive/press06_05.pdf)
- Pütz, Stefanie, „Britische Eigenheiten verstehen. Aufbaustudiengang "Master in British Studies" soll interkulturelle Kompetenz vermitteln“, in: Der Tagesspiegel, 23.11.1999
- Riege, Birgit, „Erfolgreiche Annäherungsversuche. Das Großbritannien-Zentrum der Humboldt-Universität feiert heute sein 10-jähriges Bestehen“, in: Berliner Zeitung, 29.06.2005
- Warnecke, Tilmann. „Studieren mit Jobgarantie. Karriere-Check: Welche Absolventen aus Berlin und Brandenburg besonders gefragt sind“, in: Tagesspiegel, 09.10.2005, S. K1 http://www.tagesspiegel.de/zeitung/Archiv;art1291,1999479
- Weber, Peter, „Das Wort "Landeskunde" ist tabu“, in: Berliner Morgenpost, 8.11.1999
- http://www.berlin.de/wissenschaftsatlas/einrichtungen/0140.html
- http://www.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/britcult/DOinstitutionenSchneider.htm