Welcome to the Centre for British Studies at Humboldt-Universit\u00e4t zu Berlin.
\nThe institute, the first of its kind in Germany, conducts comprehensive research and offers teaching, lectures and conferences on a broad interdisciplinary agenda focussing on the United Kingdom. Our Annual Report is available as a pdf file here. <\/p>\n
In its postgraduate degree course in British Studies, students from different nations and with different academic backgrounds study British history, culture and literature, as well as law, politics, business and economics. Detailed information about the „Master in British Studies“ (M.B.S.) can be accessed at M.B.S. <\/p>\n
This site is designed as a guide to the various activities we pursue, to the course offered, the research expertise, news and events. It also documents past activities and allows you access to work in progress and, in the future, course material provided for students. The Centre for British Studies is part of the Berlin-Brandenburg International Studies Network (BISS). More information about this network is available here.<\/p>\n
\nDeadline for MBS applications<\/p>\n
30 April 2009 <\/p>\n
Applications for places on the Master of British Studies Programme beginning in October 2009 need to reach the Centre by 30 April 2009. For further information on the Centre for British Studies‘ interdisciplinary Masters programme, see here.
\nArbeitskreis Cultural Studies<\/p>\n
10 January 2009 <\/p>\n
The Arbeitskreis Cultural Studies is meeting at the Centre for British Studies on Saturday 10 January 2009 from 10.30am until 4pm in Room 105. Topics to be addressed include the use of historical source material and members‘ current research projects.
\nATTENTION – NEW PHONE NUMBERS<\/p>\n
5 August 2008 <\/p>\n
As a consequence of the Centre for British Studies‘ move to Mohrenstra\u00dfe 60, Berlin Mitte, the staff has been assigned new telephone numbers. The new numbers still start with the university’s general code 2093 but then continue with five digits (all starting with 990). The old four-digit numbers will stop working during the next couple of weeks.<\/p>\n
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\nMusic in Britain and Germany, an interdisciplinary comparison<\/p>\n
Dr. Stephen Ferguson
\n 19 January, 16h<\/p>\n
Both Britain and Germany are distinguished by their world class musical cultures. Put in very general terms, one represents popular culture and the other art music. Comparing the two reveals fascinating discrepancies – and commonalities. Dr. Ferguson will examine these two leading musical cultures from an interdisciplinary perspective, ranging from purely musical issues to those of digital culture and music in the internet age. He will present less commonly understood insights into production technology and publishing, and also touch upon legal and economic questions.
\nThe lecture, which will be illustrated by musical examples, will be held in English, but questions can be taken in German and English.<\/p>\n
Monday Lectures and Events Winter Semester 2008\/09
\nThe Public Lecture series of the winter semester 2008\/09 will open with a keynote lecture by the Rgt. Hon. The Lord Mance of Frognal on ‚Britain’s Developing Constitution (31 October 2008). On 8 December, the Centre will celebrate the launch of a new Hard Times issue on British Humour with British comedian Mark Britton and his programme ‚Christmas in Britton‘. Gerry Mooney will speak about ‚Towards the Break-Up of Britain? What Is Different This Time?‘ on 15 December 2008. On 19 January 2009, Stephen Ferguson will give a lecture on ‚Music in Britain and Germany, an interdisciplinary comparison‘. Lastly, Tim Blanning will give this semester’s Luftbr\u00fcckendank lecture on ‚Two roads to stability, two roads to revolution: Great Britain and Prussia in the long eighteenth century‘ on 11 February 2009. <\/p>\n
For a detailed programme and more information on public events at the Centre please click here (or here for a pdf version).<\/p>\n
Keynote Address<\/p>\n
Britain’s developing constitution
\nThe Rgt. Hon. The Lord Mance of Frognal
\n 31 October 2008, 16.15h<\/p>\n
Please note: This lecture will take place in the Senatssaal
\nHumboldt-Universit\u00e4t zu Berlin, Unter den Linden 6<\/p>\n
In his lecture, Lord Mance will talk about recent constitutional reform in the UK, the relationship with the European Union and the European Convention of Human Rights, and the role of judges. <\/p>\n
Lord Mance became a \u201cLaw Lord\u201d, one of Britain\u2019s twelve top judges, in 2005 when he was appointed to the Judicial Committee of the House of Lords. <\/p>\n
The lecture will be followed by a reception. All are welcome <\/p>\n
\nIn co-operation with the Open University:<\/p>\n
Towards the Break-Up of Britain? What is different this time?<\/p>\n
Gerry Mooney
\n 15 December, 15.15h<\/p>\n
The idea that the UK is increasingly displaying signs of fragmentation or disintegration is hardly new. The UK itself has always been an unstable and ’shaky‘ project, reflecting its position as a multi-national state. However, with the recent electoral successes of the Scottish Nationalist Party, and the promise of a referendum on Scottish Independence by 2011, does this mean, finally, that the UK is on the path to disintegration – or are such claims founded on a misunderstanding of the nature of the UK today and of UK politics? In this talk Gerry Mooney will explore these and related issues in a thought-provoking and challenging way.<\/p>\n
The lecture will be followed by a reception.<\/p>\n
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\nChristmas in Britton
\nMark Britton
\n 8 December 2008, 18h<\/p>\n
\nIn his Show ‚Christmas in Britton‘, the acclaimed British stand-up comedian Mark Britton presents a crazy mixture of stand-up comedy, pantomime, situation comedy and slapstick.<\/p>\n
Please note: this event will take place in the Reutersaal im Seminargeb\u00e4ude am Hegelplatz, Dorotheenstra\u00dfe 24, 10117 Berlin.<\/p>\n
This event is organised in cooperation with the Stiftung Luftbr\u00fcckendank.<\/p>\n
Interdisciplinary Workshop „Counterfactual Thinking: Parlour Game or Analytical Tool?“
\n 28-29 November 2008<\/p>\n
\nOn 28 and 29 November the Centre for British Studies will host an interdisciplinary workshop on „Counterfactual Thinking: Parlour Game or Analytical Tool?“<\/p>\n
The workshop has been organised jointly with the University of Lucerne and will bring together scholars from a broad spectrum of disciplines – including psychology, economics, law, political science and history – to discuss the purpose and practice of applying counterfactual methods in academic research.<\/p>\n
The keynote lecture on „The Psychology of Counterfactual Thinking“ will be delivered by the psychologist Neal Roese (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign).<\/p>\n
You can download a detailed programme by clicking here.<\/p>\n
Inaugural Lecture<\/p>\n
Having one’s cake and eating it –
\nFood and drink in Cultural and Literary Studies
\nProf. Dr. Gesa Stedman
\n 20 October 2008, 14.30h<\/p>\n
\nA Restoration comedy, Charles Dickens and celebrity chef Jamie Oliver will all feature in Gesa Stedman’s lecture. It will deal not only with three examples from three different historical periods, but also discusses what a cultural studies-approach to food and drink has to offer.
\nThe lecture will be followed by a reception.<\/p>\n
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\nThe Centre for British Studies has made numerous appearances in the local and national press. Some recent articles include:<\/p>\n
\nTagesspiegel, 12.10.2008
\nYes, we’re British
\nHumboldt, 09.10.2008
\nPersonalwechsel im Gro\u00dfbritannien-Zentrum
\nTagesspiegel, 12.12.2007
\nHumboldt streitet um die Zukunft
\nWelt, 25.08.2007
\nJens Lehmann und Christiane Eisenberg: „Mich fasziniert der Fu\u00dfball-Geruch“
\nTagespiegel, 21.06.2007
\nSir Peter verl\u00e4sst Berlin
\nHUMBOLDT, 10.05.2007
\n„You say goodbye and I say hello“ – Erfolgreiche Alumni-Arbeit am Gro\u00dfbritannien-Zentrum
\nHUMBOLDT, 02.11.2006, p. 2
\nLord Patten besuchte Gro\u00dfbritannien-Zentrum
\nFinancial Times Deutschland, 01.08.2006
\nMusik von unten
\nDie Zeit, 08.06.2006
\nEin Ball, ein Land, eine Stimme. Die Macht des Weltfussballverbandes
\nKurier, 06.05.2006
\nBritish National Party: Neonazis in mehreren Wahlkreisen erfolgreich
\nFrankfurter Rundschau, 01.03.2006
\nDie Macht der Queen ist schwer zu messen
\nTagesspiegel, 23.01.2006
\nEin gro\u00dfer Lenker. Woher das Wort \u201eWeltmeister\u201c kommt
\nBerliner Zeitung, 03.11.2005
\nDie Evolution liebt die guten Ideen
\nTagesspiegel, 09.10.2005
\nStudieren mit Jobgarantie
\nFor a wider selection of articles please see our press archive <\/p>\n
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\u00a9 2005 Centre for British Studies<\/p>\n
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