Questionnaire
The following list of questions (and suggestions) may be of interest to you if you consider investigating aspects of the history of English Studies in your own professional sphere.Which area do I want to deal with?
It may be a good idea to begin with things close to you, putting them in a wider national and international context.
(a) your own department.
(b) your own scholarly interests
(c) your own professional organisation
(d) an influential personality
(e) the careers of the graduates of your university
(f) journals, specialized publishers, series of publications
Where do I find material?
We tend to be text-oriented and therefore look for answers in written or printed sources. There are relatively few studies in the area (see bibliography). But you may find important material in university catalogues and regulations, in introductory books, and in university archives.
Just because the institutional history of English Studies has been neglected in research, another source may be more important: retired colleagues and old graduates. You will find that they are pleased to answer your questions; they may, however, have a personal interest in presenting their version of the story. It may be useful to read up on oral history.
Are there issues of particular European relevance?
Topics where the international (European) exchange/transmission of ideas was intense or problematic may be of particular interest. There may be crucial moments or periods in the national history of English which are of European interest (e.g., Anglo-Saxon studies in the Third Reich).
What were the issues leading towards the institutionalization of English Studies?
When were the first professorships, first chairs, first courses, first departments founded? What were the motives for creating them? How were things done?
How was the institutionalisation of English related to that of other language disciplines (classical studies, mother tongue, dominant foreign language(s))?
From which other disciplines did scholars move into English?
How did courses of study develop?
How have political and cultural contexts affected the development of English? (e.g., international trade relations, the role of the British Council and other similar institutions, etc.)
What has the influence of neighbouring disciplines been?
How have specialisations developed? (linguistics, literary studies, etc., possibly also topics specific to your country)
Who have the eminent representatives in your field of interest been? What have their achievements and their backgrounds (training) been?
What have their main channels of publication been? What have their principal contributions to European (or international) scholarly developments been?
How do developments in your area (specialty, country) compare with those in others?
What has the role of women been (as students and teachers)? When were they first admitted to university studies?
