Medieval English Studies at Berne covers English literature and culture from the Anglo-Saxon period to the end of the fifteenth century. We introduce our students to a wide range of genres and theoretical approaches and offer training in a variety of specialist skills needed in order to study the Middle Ages. We strongly promote links with other disciplines exploring this period, such as history, art history, and medieval German and French studies. Interdisciplinary research and teaching is fostered through our collaboration with individuals and institutions across the disciplines, joint teaching and study trips [Poster Canterbury] and particularly through our affiliation with the Berner Mittelalter Zentrum, which offers an interdisciplinary lecture series each semester (http://www.bmz.unibe.ch). Principal areas of research and teaching include concepts of space, authorship, book ownership and literacy, the art of memory, the body, cultural contact and interrelations between texts and visual culture.

Swiss Students Walk for Stella

Five MA students from the English Department of the University of Berne recently joined Medieval English Studies Professor Annette Kern-Stähler to walk the final stretch of the Pilgrims' Way in Canterbury, England, to contribute to the cost of the treatment of Stella Rogers, a little girl from Canterbury who suffers from a rare form of cancer. The monetary gift of almost £1000 had been raised among their colleagues, fellow students and friends. Please click here for more information.

A poster of the trip can be downloaded here: Poster Canterbury

Students of the English Department Bern performed Medieval Christmas Plays

At the end of 2010, Students in Prof. Kern-Stähler’s seminar “Performing Medieval Drama” performed a medieval Christmas play at the Historisches Museum Bern. More information about the theatre production can be downloaded here: Students of the English Department Bern performed Medieval Christmas Plays