Early Modern Cultural Change

The EMRG (Early Modern Research Group) in the Department of Modern Languages and Translation herewith proposes a joint exchange programme between Philipps-Universität, Marburg and The University of Agder (Norway) in the field of Early Modern Studies, but with possibility for expansion into other specialities within the respective departments. The proposed exchange involves four Norwegian academics, two literary scholars and two linguists. The application comprises two well-established academics, Professor Dagmar Haumann (Linguistics) and Professor Roy Eriksen (Literary Studies) and two younger academics, Associate Professor Gard Jenset (Linguistics) who defended his doctorate this month and PhD-candidate John-Wilhelm Vinje (Literature), who is in the fir st year of writing his dissertation. A cooperation and exchange with Phillips Universität and Marburg is particularly valuable in view of its strong research and learning traditions, being the site of the famous "Relgions Gespräch". Additionally, the ci ty's placed at the very borderline of the European religious divide, Phillips Universität being the first Protestant university on the Continent. The study of how Early Modern societies dealt with their predicaments is vital to the study of Early Modern c ulture at large. These contacts and activities have proved rewarding and created a solid foundation for future cooperation in research, teaching and publication that will forge stronger links between the two countries and strengthen participation in inte rnational networks. And as this application expresses there is a mutual interest in creating conference opportunities for doctoral students and further research initiatives between our institutions. Shared courses are also being explored in the area of Mo dern Media Shakespeare, where University of Agder offers its first MA-course in the spring of 2011.