Studying English at the University of Basel Welcome to the Department of English
Dear prospective student, literary and cultural studies. While we are committed to In linguistics, we focus on the giving you an excellent edu- With this brochure, we would Linguistics of English, which cation, we know that studying like to give you a glimpse explores the structures and at a university encompasses into what studying English at uses of the world’s major more than reading books, Basel looks like. Though we lingua franca, and Cognitive writing papers, and discuss- are fortunate to work in one Linguistics and Language ing research issues in class. of the city’s oldest (and most Acquisition, which study Our Department has a rich beautiful) buildings, the work how human beings acquire social life that is kept going by we do here is anything but language and process it in our excellent amateur thea- traditional. The courses we their minds. In literary stud- tre group The Gay Beggars, teach are informed by our ies, we explore Anglophone our long-standing English current research, which Literatures, both fictional Seminar Choir, and the many takes place in national and and non-fictional, with ref- events organized by our very international networks. We erence to cultural history active Students’ Committee. also take great care to of- and theory, and in relation fer you a supportive envi- to other media such as film We hope that the ronment in which to work and theatre. The focus is following pages ... we are committed towards a BA, MA or PhD on English Literature since whet your appe- to giving you an degree in English. the Renaissance, American tite and prompt and General Literature, and you to join our excellent education ... Our Department consists of Postcolonial Literature. We fold. Published by the Department of English, University of Basel Editors: Philipp Schweighauser, Daniela Keller, Peter Burleigh about 20 full-time and part- also have offerings in Aca- Layout and Design: Sabina Horber time instructors and around demic Communication in Heike Behrens Photographs: Daniela Keller (cover, 4/5, 5, 6, 16, 19, 22/23, 25), Andre- as Hägler (3), Sabina Horber (4, 9, 15), Chantelle Kley-Gomez (7, 8, 18, 450 students. Our teaching English that will help you ex- Ina Habermann 19, 24), Philipp Schweighauser (10, 12/13, 20), Peter Schnetz (14, 21), and research covers four press yourself academically Miriam Locher Michael Riegner (17), Amadis Brugnoni (22), Alex van Lierde (23) 2nd ed., 500 ex., Basel, December 2020 major areas in linguistics and in speech and writing. Philipp Schweighauser 3 Studying English at Basel
As the lingua franca of busi- literature and culture. Studies ogy and theory. We also offer of English linguistics and/or ness and science, English is at the Department of English survey lectures as an intro- literature; students do not today’s most important glob- are designed to train and de- duction to current research only tackle specific research al language. Apart from their velop this expertise. in linguistics and in British questions and approaches in world-wide spread, the Eng- and American literary history. a given field but also learn to lish language and its cultures BA level students become Later, the studies become apply and critique them in a have also shaped various do- familiar with the complex more specialized, the cours- sophisticated manner. Stu- mains in our local everyday field of English language(s), es offered for advanced BA dents develop their own re- lives, including media, ad- literatures and cultures and students range from “Bring search projects in conversa- vertising, and tourism. These are introduced to linguis- the Noise: Modern American tion with their fellow students developments are of great tic and literary theories and Literature & Sound Stud- and instructors. significance for Switzerland methods that enable them ies” to “Time and Space in – a multilingual country that to understand English and Language and Cognition.” MA courses in linguistics fo- is deeply involved in global its literary and cultural mani- This teaching is crucially in- cus on cogni- economic activities. English festations from social, cul- formed by the research we tive linguistics ... understand English languages and cultures thus tural, historical, and cognitive do – which means that you and psycho- and its literary and create novel perspectives. We also teach will become part of a vibrant linguistics, ex- cultural manifestations social and po- academic language skills in research community. amining the ... English is today’s from social, cultural, most important global litical challeng- English (writing and presen- cognitive and es (early Eng- tation). MA students can choose social bases historical and cognitive language... lish at school, whether they want to focus of language perspectives ... language poli- At the beginning of their on Anglophone literatures or and commu- cy making, intercultural com- studies, BA students attend linguistics, or on both. Their nication as well as language munication, business English various introductory courses knowledge is extended and acquisition. Our second field etc.) that must be addressed, in Anglophone literatures, in deepened by a training in of linguistic expertise focus- understood and tackled by literary theory and criticism, academic research practice es on variation of language 4 experts in English language, and in linguistic methodol- in more specialized fields usage in given contexts 5 Alexandra Guski, School Principal at Fachmaturitätsschule Basel
(sociolinguistics, pragmatics Paul School of Linguistics or ties (e.g. German Philology I had always liked the idea of ies and training after having Basel after a year abroad, and- and discourse analysis). the Doctoral Programme in or Media Studies), or outside becoming a teacher. I decided finished your teacher forma- liked the small size of the uni- Literary Studies. PhD theses the Humanities, (Geography, to complete the teaching certif- tion and keep your eyes open versity (compared to Berlin) Literary studies are interdis- can be written individually or Computer Sciences, Law, or icate after working in various for opportunities of job en- and the quality of the teaching. ciplinary, approaching liter- as part of of a larger research Theology). schools and because I realized richment. For a long time, ad- I also have fond memories of ary texts from a theoretical project; in most cases, they I was interested in the peda- ditionally to my teaching job, studying in beautiful facilities angle and in their historical, are thematically connected For more information on gogical and didactical issues I worked as a facilitator and in the Old Town and of lots of social, and cultural contexts. to the area of expertise of the studying in general, please raised in the teacher courses course instructor for school networking amongst students We consider literary texts PhD supervisor. see the study FAQs pub- at university. My advice to stu- development and leadership - also students from other fac- as manifestations of broad- lished on the website of the dents is: find out if you want to and even quit my teaching job ulties. In my job, I still profit er cultural processes that The Department of English Department of Languages shape how we make sense of also provides the academic and Literatures. become a teacher by getting as to solely work in this field for from contacts I made at uni- the world. Our thematic foci basis for future teachers. We many teaching opportunities some years. Today, I am the versity twenty years ago. range from aesthetics and offer courses and modules as possible. You should really principal of the Fachmatu- the materiality of communi- for secondary-school teach- like most aspects of the job. ritätsschule. It’s good to have Generally, if you are interest- cation to middlebrow fiction ers (BA/MA, Studiengang Most importantly, you should teaching experience as well as ed in studying at university, and the spatial Sekundarstufe I); the MA in be interested in students and organizational and manage- look into as ... become part of a imagination of English provides the aca- their learning. English is a ment knowledge for this job. many subjects ... I still profit from literature. demic ground for working as vibrant research great subject to teach as stu- as possible. contacts I made at a Gymnasium teacher. dents usually like it. I took English as a main sub- Choose the community ... Excellent MA university twenty ject (“Leistungskurs”) at the ones you are years ago ... graduates can English is studied in combi- I found it helpful to have al- Gymnasium in Berlin and really interest- extend their research com- nation with another Bachelor ternatives to my teaching job wanted to intensify my knowl- ed in. Interest petence by conducting a PhD or Master Degree subject. after fifteen years of working edge of English and American and passion are at least as im- research project and writing The second field of study can a doctoral dissertation within be any other subject either in the same field. That means literature, language and cul- portant as job opportunities. that you have to do extra stud- ture at university. I came to 6 the framework of the Herman within the Faculty of Humani- 7 Andrés Luther, Partner at Hirzel Neef Schmid Counselors Premises and People
I had an interest in theatre From the skills learnt at uni- more insightful and gratify- Most departments of the 18th centuries. During the partment of English – it seats and poetry and thought that versity, I now benefit most ing if you view them as a way University of Basel are lo- Council of Basel (1431-49) about 100 people. literature and language are from doing thorough re- of life. cated in the heart of the old church dignitaries were en- a useful key to understand- search on a wide range of city. The Department of Eng- tertained in the great hall on Today, the building hosts the ing culture and people. And subjects, presenting and de- Be prepared for the fact that lish is housed in two adja- the ground floor, notable for departmental library and of- I still do believe that. I came fending my ideas, debating you will not really under- cent buildings on Nadelberg, its painted ceiling (the old- fers space for research, ad- to Basel because it was fur- my findings and opinions and stand most of the texts that two minutes from the Market est non-ecclesiastical one in ministration, and teaching, Square. The older of these, Switzerland); it serves as a while most of the lectures ther away from home than learning to deal with other you read for your studies. at the back of a cobbled lecture theatre today. Guests take place in the University’s Zurich. people’s points of view. Some of them you will only courtyard, is also the oldest who lodged in the build- pleasant and modern Kol- understand several years after surviving private residence in ing included Duke Philip of legienhaus at Petersplatz. Towards the end of my stud- Writing is the key to com- you graduate. In other words, Basel. It was already called Burgundy, Duke Albrecht of ies I realized that I wanted munications, even in the age there are a lot of things you “Schönes Haus” (“Beauti- Bavaria, and Prince John of The Department of English has to know more about how the of online media and video. just cannot understand the ful House”) when it was first Orange. four chairs, one in English Lit- business world worked, espe- While at university, try to first time, so be patient. mentioned in a document in erature since the Renaissance, cially global find jobs, even unpaid jobs, 1294, because of its wealth In the 1960s the buildings held by Ina Habermann, one ... while at university, financial mar- that give you experience in I like to remember the long and decorative splendour. were carefully restored, and in North American and Gen- try to find jobs, even kets. Markets non-academic writing and nights and weekends spent For centuries it continued given to the university in eral Literatures unpaid jobs, that seemed to editing. Try to spend most as a “gay beggar” at the cel- to be the home of rich citi- 1968. In one of the rooms, held by Philipp ... experience a college zens, among them Rudolph which now serves the De- Schweighaus- give you relevant have a huge of your time with things that lar theatre and all the barbe- atmosphere ... impact on life you really are interested in. cues in the courtyard of the Wettstein, who represented partment of English as a li- er, one in the experience ... the Swiss at the Westphalia brary, a Gothic wooden ceil- Linguistics of and society, Study humanities only out of Schönes Haus. Peace negotiations in 1648; ing saved from the ruins of English, held by Miriam Loch- and I expected that working genuine interest and passion the coat-of-arms over one another building was added. er, and one in Cognitive Lin- in business would teach me for the subject matter. Hu- of the portals is that of the The cellar of the “Schönes guistics and Language Acqui- a lot that I could not learn at manities can be the basis for Karger family, who owned Haus” was converted into a sition, held by Heike Behrens. university. a career, but they are much 8 the building in the 17th and studio theatre, run by the De- 9 Research Research Projects in Literary and Cultural Studies Research Projects in Linguistics Research is crucial to aca- our research in the following 2020 demic life. Through it, our fields: SNF: WordWeb / Intertextuality in the UniBas: Subtitling in Action: Drama of the Early Modern Period – A staff makes significant con- Pragmatic Processes of Interse- Swiss South 2019 New Way of Representing Intertextuality SNF: miotic Translation African Joint tributions to their fields of Linguistics in the Drama of the Early Modern Period Beckett‘s Research expertise and positions the ‧‧Cognitive Linguistics Media 2018 Programme European System: A department in national and ‧‧Psycholinguistics (First and supperted Society for Comparative international contexts. Our Second Language Aquisi- 2017 SNF: Bri- SNF: Of Cultural, Poetic, and by the SNF Literature, Study in Mul- research interests cover a tion) tish Literary Medial Alterity: The Scholar- (2008-2015). Science and timediality 2016 and Cultural ship, Poetry, Photographs, It is conti- the Arts (SL- wide range of aspects of ‧‧English in Social Interaction SNF: Langua- Discourses of and Films of Edward Sapir, nued as an SAeu) Anglophone literatures, lin- ‧‧Relational Work and Polite- ge and Health 2015 Europe Ruth Fulton Benedict, and exchange of Online guistic varieties and cultures. ness Research Margaret Mead Swiss and In linguistics, we analyze the ‧‧Health Discourse South African 2014 DFG: Graduierten- UniBas: Relational writers and structure and use of the Eng- kolleg „Frequenz- Work in Facebook academics lish language as well as first Literary and Cultural Studies 2013 effekte in der under the and second language acqui- ‧‧English and Irish literature SNF: Life (be- Sprache“ UniBas, UZH, ETH, yond) Writing: auspices of sition. In liter- and culture since the Re- 2012 ZHAW, Gebert Rüf Illness Narratives Stiftung: Semantik Pro Helve- ... The aim of the study ary and cul- naissance with a focus on des Geschmacks – Pro*Doc „Sprache tia, initiated 2011 als soziale und is to explore how tural studies, literature and space, early Sensory Language by Therese and and the Seman- kulturelle Praxis“ Steffen we explore the modern drama, middlebrow 2010 users create identities construction writing and BrexLit tics of Taste through language ... of cultural dis- ‧‧18th-21st century American 2009 courses in An- Literature and Culture SNF: Hyper- glophone literatures, both in ‧‧Aesthetics 2008 Hamlet the past and the present. Our ‧‧Post-colonial literatures and staff engage in research pro- theory 2007 jects which involve MA and ‧‧Literary, cultural, and media For more information on our research 2006 10 PhD students. We situate theory, Sound Studies Joint Research projects, please visit our website 11 Research Projects
Of Cultural, Poetic, and Medial British Discourses of Europe (national) identity and con- studied the ways in which Alterity This research project, funded structions of Englishness. clients and counselors cre- Edward Sapir, Ruth Fulton by the Swiss National Sci- MA-students can obtain an ate a therapeutic alliance Benedict, and Margaret Mead ence Foundation from 2014 interdisciplinary certificate in e-mail counselling. Both were three of the most influen- to 2017, analyzed twentieth- `Cultural Topographies’ as a sub-projects contribute to tial anthropologists of the 20th century British literary and means to highlight a spatial our understanding of how century. Out of the three, it is cultural discourses of Eu- focus in their studies. In our health discourse is negoti- Mead who has become fa- rope. Since Britain finds it- research, we also focus on ated on the Web. mous for experimenting with self, and places itself, on British literary and cultural media other than the standard the margins of Europe, it is discourses of Europe and Sensory Language and the ethnographic text, particularly crucial to study British pro- Anglo-European relations, Semantics of Taste (SenS, photography and film. What is jections of Europe over time both contemporary and with Semantik des Geschmacks) less well known is that together and the related constructions a historical perspective. This was an interdisciplinary they wrote over 1000 poems, of national identity in fictions, project that involved linguists many of which engage with the travel writing and various Language and Health from the Insti- objects of their anthropological other forms of cultural myth- Online tute for Applied ... we aim for a better investigations. Funded by the making. Our research helped This linguistic project investi- Linguistics understanding of how Swiss National trace the `road to Brexit’ and gated the e(lectronic)-health ( Z H AW ),the contemporary notions Science Foun- proposes that we establish interaction in asynchro- Universities of ... engage in dation, this re- an Anglo-European Studies, nous, written computer-me- Basel and Zü- of Europe have been international debates ... search project both past and present. diated communication: On rich, and food shaped ... explored what the one hand we explored scientists from difference it makes whether one Cultural Topographies linguistic strategies of per- the ETH. There are many evokes other cultures in con- We study aspects of British suasion on health websites linguistic pitfalls in the com- ventional ethnographic prose, and Irish literature and culture and peer-to-peer for deal- munication between food in poetic language, or in films with a focus on space and ing with smoking cessa- experts and the public (con- 12 and photographs. place as well as discourses of tion; on the other hand we sumers). The aim of the pro- 13 Johanna Schüpbach, Subject Librarian (Anglophone Language and Literature, General Linguistics), University of Basel Library ject was to analyze lexical they engage in, and how Life (Beyond) Writing: Illness use and meaning of German this practice is linked to re- Narratives When I first came to Ba- Department’s other offerings Studying at the English Depart- and English taste terms such lational work. The research project ex- sel, I was dead set on study- provided: As part of the Gay ment is a true privilege: the as crispy and crunchy, for ex- plored the social and cultural ing American Literature but Beggars Drama Group I got gorgeous rooms have always ample. The analyses include HyperHamlet meanings of illness narra- couldn’t imagine much else. to know a wholly different ap- made the place feel warm and focus group discussions with Structured as an open-ac- tives and analyses their role Little did I know that my proach to working with texts inviting. And I felt a bit of pride non-experts as well as natu- cess hypertext, this collection and function in the literary, time at the English Depart- and improving my spoken whenever I could show some- rally occurring corpus data of 10,000-plus quotations linguistic, and medical field. ment would bring me so much English; as a member of the one around the Department in order to put together a is a dictionary-in-progress The dialogue established more, expand my horizon of student committee I helped and would get comments like lexicon which helps to bridge which does not tell us where between the three different interests, grow my love of sto- organize events such as movie “Wow! This feels a bit like Hog- the gap between interlocu- phrases come from but disciplines contributed to a tors from different fields. rather where phrases from more holistic approach to ries, and generally exceed my nights, Halloween and end-of- warts!” Shakespeare’s most famous illness besides challenging wildest expectations. term parties; and as a student Status Updates in Facebook play have gone. more traditional concepts of assistant I had the chance of I can only recommend soak- This project analysed lan- health and illness. My years spent as a student at gaining insight into the ad- ing up all that the Department guage use in ProDoc “Sprache als soziale the Department of English have ministrative, academic, and of English has ... Where have phrases the profile pag- und kulturelle Praxis” not only sparked interests in research-oriented processes at to offer. There ... I thoroughly en- from Shakespeare’s es and status Aiming to contribute to a different areas of study but also the Department. is so much go- joyed the immersive most famous play updates of Fa- better understanding of allowed me to explore a variety ing on – events, experience that the cebook users the intersectionality of lan- of subjects and discover new re- I have also always greatly ap- guest lectures, Department pro- gone? ... from Switzer- guage, sociality and cul- search fields. Eventually, I was preciated the fact that everyone theatre perfor- vided... land and from ture, this project drew on actually more drawn to British was so approachable. The pro- mances, coffee/ Great Britain. The aim of concepts from sociology, literature! fessors and teaching staff are tea breaks, summer afternoons the project was to explore anthropology, history and always there for their students, spent in the courtyard, excur- how users create identi- media studies while retain- ties through language, i.e., ing a theoretical framework I thoroughly enjoyed the im- and are happy to advise and sions, and so much more – you mersive experience that the provide guidance. won’t regret it! 14 what ‘acts of positioning’ in linguistics. 15 Philippe Roesle, Deputy Head Bilateral Relations, State Secretariat for Education, Mobility and Going Abroad Research and Innovation Living abroad for a longer pe- currently has student exchan- Studying English at the Uni- in the global context of Swit- nation of social activities as riod of time is an invaluable ges with the Universities of versity of Basel challenged me zerland’s science diplomacy. well as the intellectual envi- experience in many respects. Manchester, Cardiff, Stirling, to develop questions, while ronment at the Department Not only is it an excellent way Hong Kong, Virginia Tech and teaching me how to devise My love for English literature of English is unrivalled. In to improve your language Central Oklahoma. There are and evaluate answers. I was really took off when I joined Basel the world can be your skills, but, by being confron- also erasmus exchange pos- taught how to engage criti- a student-led production of oyster – there should be no ted with other points of view, sibilities with the Universities other ways of life and other of Vienna, Orléans, Université cally with words, texts and Shakespeare’s Much Ado limits to your curiosity and educational and political sys- Paris Diderot, Rennes 2, FU ideas. The freedom and inde- About Nothing. Bringing this drive for knowledge. Make tems, you will also gain in- Berlin, LMU Munich, Universi- pendence I had with my indi- text to life, together with like- the most of the university’s sights into a different culture tà di Napoli, Olomouc, Torino vidual timetable allowed me minded students and friends, diversity – develop wide in- as well as into your own. and Warsaw. The university’s to pursue my own interests was an experience I still cher- terests and pursue them. The Mobility Office can help you in a broad range of interdisci- ish. At the same time, I was at- diversity and broad range of Although it is not compulsory organize an exchange with plinary topics, furthering my tending a seminar on Shake- the Department is fascinating for BA and MA level students further universities abroad. lateral thinking and encour- speare’s comedies. It was this and I would advise anybody who do not want to become aging me to approach and combination of practical and to make the most of that op- teachers, we strongly recom- As an assistant teacher of understand issues from vari- intellectual engagement with portunity in order to truly mend that you spend time your native lan- ous angles si- literary texts that triggered become an intellectual all- abroad, either at university or guage, you can teaching at a school. Apart go to Great Bri- ... living abroad is an ... be open minded multaneously. my profound interest in all rounder. invaluable experience ... These skillsthings Early Modern. from the academic exchange tain for eight to and get involved! ... programme erasmus there is nine months; or were invalu- the possibility of working as as an Amity Intern Teacher able when I embarked on my So, I would advise every stu- an assistant teacher. to the US for up to twelve PhD at King’s College Lon- dent at the English Depart- months. This option of going don and I still draw upon ment to be open-minded and In English-speaking countries, abroad is especially attractive them in my current position to get involved! The combi- 16 the Department of English for aspiring school teachers. 17 Sibylle Bläsi, English Teacher, Kantonsschule Olten Iris Wahlen Callegher, Communications Manager, Roche
I chose to study English be- coincidence that some friends a challenge – academia was I had always wanted to be- me to do careful research. As ple, it can be useful to com- cause it has always fascinated and relatives of mine also indeed a new world compared come a high-school teacher a humanities person I feel that bine English with media me; as a teenager I enjoyed chose to study at the Univer- to school! Of course it is advis- but ended up taking on a job I gained a very broad knowl- studies or economics. All in reading English literature and sity of Basel. able to plan your studies wisely. in economics after my stud- edge of all sorts of fields and all, philologists are definitely reflecting on language. Go- However, I also enjoyed the ies. I grew very fond of cor- am thus able to reconsider very well-equipped for a posi- ing to the U.S. as an exchange Autonomy is an essential as- freedom of choosing lectures porate communications and and reflect on various topics. tion in corporate communi- student turned out to be a pect of my current position as and seminars that truly inter- have been working in this cations. momentous decision, allow- a teacher. During my studies ested me. Delving into the ex- area ever since. It is definitely worthwhile ing me to further develop my at university I learnt to work citing universe of literary and studying a subject in the hu- I have very fond memories language competence and to independently, a skill I have theoretical texts allowed me to The most important skill I manities because the industry of studying at Basel. I en- gain insights into U.S. Ameri- substantially benefited from. grow intellectually and person- learnt at university is to be does not only need econo- joyed having the time to look can culture. After graduating Further skills that turned out ally. At the start of your stud- able to think strategically and mists. But before you choose at texts closely and to think from grammar school I felt to be useful encompass the ies you might not always find in complex ways; in literary English as your subject, you about small but relevant de- that studying English was the ability to study a wide range it easy to adjust to the new set- studies I learnt to grasp con- should make sure that you tails. The debates and conver- right choice, of literary and theoretical ting, but as time passes you will cepts fully and view them know what it means to study sations with ... keep an open simply because texts from different periods; learn to master these challenges from different angles. Lin- linguistics or literature, fellow stu- ... philologists are mind, take pleasure I loved read- to write academic papers, i.e. if you keep an open mind, take guistics helped me develop which are about more than dents and tu- definitely very well- in what you do, and ing, analyzing to adequately express and or- pleasure in what you do, and an affinity for intercultural becoming fluent in the Eng- tors were very equipped for a don’t mind working and discussing ganize thoughts by placing are willing to work hard (which communications and the lish language. fruitful and I position in corporate hard ... literature. them in a theoretical frame- is not necessarily a paradox). playfulness of language: how am proud to communications ... work; and to give presenta- to formulate and use the right I also recommend that stu- have studied at Basel appealed to me because tions and interact with others. sentences and words depend- dents of English choose their the oldest university in Swit- it appeared to be an open- ing on which target audience second subject wisely; if you zerland. minded and culturally di- I remember that my first se- you want to reach. I acquired are interested in corporate verse city. It was perhaps not a mester at university was quite academic skills that enable communications, for exam- 18 19 Career Prospects Mariann Bühler, Writer and Literature Promoter
The profiles of some of our texts critically, are skilled in professional analysis of texts I knew English would be louder and louder: I wanted to Reading and working with lots graduates’ current job posi- obtaining crucial information to research competence and one of my subjects early on – write. Encouraged by a grant I and lots of literary and critical tions distributed throughout and can interpret cultural a high level of proficiency in and by that I mean primary was awarded in 2018 I decided texts and being familiar with this brochure are designed phenomena methodically. spoken and written com- school. Working in a literary to take the plunge and focus on literary genres and epochs to give you an idea of the munication in English. These field was my dream. When the writing my first novel. I have is crucial to my job. The best great variety of fields of work After successfully complet- allow our students to take Literaturhaus Basel was look- been self-employed since mid preparation for any job in lit- for which studying English at ing their Bachelor’s degree, on jobs in various areas: the ing for an assistant I applied 2019 and work as a modera- erature is to read, read, read. Basel prepares you. students with an interest in diplomatic corps, marketing, and actually got the job. I did tor, copywriter and fundraiser New, old, whatever interests research can continue their public relations, publishing everything from project and while writing on the novel. you. Be curious, get into things: A Bachelor’s degree is not studies with a Master’s de- houses, cultural institutions, geared to a specific job but gree, possibly followed by a any information or docu- event management to pub- the really fascinating stuff is offers students the oppor- PhD and an academic ca- mentation services, news- lic relations and fundraising My first year at university rarely on the surface. Attend tunity to acquire academic reer. Yet English Linguistics papers, radio and television. and I got to know the literary was tough: the native speak- readings, get to know people. skills that are highly useful in a and Anglophone Literary and Students are advised to think scene intimately. One of my ers showed me what proper Get to know the field working wide variety of Cultural Studies also offer a about their career choices projects was “Sofalesungen” English was and academic at a bookstore or a publish- ... acquire academic fields of work. much broader variety of ca- and to get work experience which brings public readings texts turned out to be nothing ing house – or start your own skills that are highly Students are reer prospects. Becoming a while still at university. of young Swiss writers to pri- like reading the odd novel in reading series. able to per- teacher is one of the most vate spaces. After five years the English. I had to rewrite my Don’t be disap- ... the best prepa- useful in a wide form complex popular choices: English variety of fields of project had grown to eight cit- first paper and was extremely pointed if you ration for any job in tasks in com- teachers are required at all ies and regions in the German ashamed to have failed so ter- don’t get the work ... literature is to read, munication and levels of the school system and French speaking parts of ribly. But then I got the hang “right job” im- administration as well as in adult educa- read, read ... Switzerland and I felt it was of it and things got easier and mediately, try which are also important tion. Many additional fields of time to move on. An impor- I met people who were equally again – the right way may not outside academia. They are work are open to graduates confident both in speaking of English due to the wide tant reason for handing it off crazy about British TV series be a straight line. and writing in English, can range of skills they acquire was a small voice in the back and obscure vocabulary – we of my head that had become became lasting friends. 20 read and analyze complex during their studies: from the 21 Social Activities
The Department of English yearly summer barbeque or People with an insatiable in- life. The choir is open to all has a very lively social life its Halloween parties have terest in theatre and a rea- singing enthusiasts, students and several institutions that become very popular. See sonably good command of as well as non-students. For actively contribute to it. also http://english.philhist. the English language are very more information, please visit: unibas.ch/en/about-us/stu- welcome to look in and join www.esc-basel.ch The student committee’s of- dent-association the Gay Beggars. Though ficial duties revolve around quite demanding and time- university politics. As a stu- The Gay Beggars is an in- consuming, theatre work dent of the Department of dependent non-professional with the Gay Beggars offers English, you are automatical- theatre company which spe- you a brilliant opportunity ly a member of the commit- cializes in the production to get involved in a reward- tee and are allowed to partic- of plays written in English. ing activity and get to know ipate; the committee is kept Founded by students of the other students. For more in- up-to-date on all goings-on Department of English in formation, please visit: www. at the department and holds 1941, the Gay Beggars have gaybeggars.ch general student assemblies managed to keep up the long- once a semester where all standing tradition of staging at The English Seminar Choir ... get involved in a students meet least one play a year. The late was founded in 1989 by Allan rewarding activity and are invited Professor Rudolf Stamm in- Turner, then a lecturer at the ... studying is a way of to voice their stigated their use of the mar- University of Basel. Thanks and get to know other life ... concerns. vellous Cellar Theatre, which to his profound knowledge students ... opened in 1969. In addition to of the English choral reper- The committee also organ- the annual performances in toire, as well as his dedica- izes a number of parties the Cellar Theatre, there have tion to this “hobby”, the choir and events. Regular movie been many performances in thrived and grew to become nights are one of its most other venues in Switzerland an integral part of the univer- 22 well-known activities and its and Europe. sity and of Basel’s cultural 23 Laurenz Bolliger, Literary Editor-at-Large Useful Links and Addresses
University of Basel Fachgruppe Englisch English had always been full I only found out two years af- tire to be enthusiastic. And Petersplatz 1 http://english.philhist.unibas. of promise for me – for as long ter finishing my studies what don’t be snobby. CH-4051 Basel ch/en/about-us/student-as- as I can remember. It was the I wanted to do for a living. I http://unibas.ch sociation language of jazz and rock mu- had meandered and trave- Studying was wonderful. We sic and of some of my favorite led and cycled around, tried were the luckiest people. The Student Services / The Gay Beggars Drama authors. I liked many places this and that. Then, one day, Department of English was Studiensekretariat Group +41 61 207 30 23 http://www.gaybeggars.ch in the world where it was spo- I asked myself a simple ques- our secret garden, our foun- https://unibas.ch/de/ ken. As it were, some of my tion: Why don’t I try to do tain of youth, our stage, our Studiensekretariat.html favorite food was English, too. what I like most and earn a clubhouse and our home. We Hamburgers, fish and chips, living by doing it? I applied as were happy. We had, in short, Student Advice Centre / beans on toast, bacon and an editor. It was rather naïve, a jolly good time. Studienberatung Basel egg. So, I enlisted. And I never but it was the right direction. Steinengraben 5 looked back in anger. The initial steps were muddy CH-4051 Basel and uncomfortable, but once I [email protected] Why Basel? It is my home was on my way, things fell into https://studienberatung. town and one of the most place. You don’t need to be an unibas.ch beautiful cit- Indian guru or Jimmy Cliff to ... we had, in short, a ies I know. It is know that “you can get it if Faculty of Humanities / Philosophisch-Historische jolly good time ... cozy and easy- you really want” – even if it Fakultät going and means to sweat for a while. Bernoullistrasse 28 open-minded. Today, I live in CH-4056 Basel Berlin, which is less cozy, of My advice to students: Try to http://philhist.unibas.ch/ course, but admittedly great do as many internships as you fun and a swell place to be. can. Read, read, read. Never 24 25 Useful links and addresses
University of Basel Petersplatz 1 CH-4051 Basel
Petersplatz http://unibas.ch Department of English Student Services / Studiensekretariat Tram 6, 8, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17 +41 61 267 30 33 Kollegienhaus • der Universität
Nadelberg sse [email protected] Marktplatz Sattelga Imbergässlein
Petersgraben Student Advice Centre / Studienberatung Basel Steinengraben 5 Rosshofgasse SpalenvorstadtTram 3 • CH-4051 Basel [email protected]
Spalenberg http://www.studienberatung-basel.ch
Department of English Faculty of Humanities / UniversityDepartment of Basel of English Philosophisch-Historische Fakultät UniversityNadelberg 6of Basel Bernoullistrasse 28 CH-4051 Basel Nadelberg 6 CH-4056 Basel Phone: +41 61 207CH-4051 27 90 Basel http://philhist.unibas.ch/studium Fax: +41 61 207 27 80 Phone: +41 61 267 27 90 Fachgruppe Englisch [email protected]: +41 61 267 27 80 http://fg-englisch.unibas.ch 26 https://english.philhist.unibas.ch [email protected] The Gay Beggars Drama Group http://engsem.unibas.ch http://www.gaybeggars.ch