In the framework of the initiative “ SammLehr – an Objekten lehren und lernen“ (using objects to teach and learn) the Mercator Foundation has distinguished the research and study project “Object text: libraries, collections, manuscripts“ at the Institute for Literature Studies, Department of Modern German Literature I of the University of Stuttgart with prize money totalling 100,000,- Euros. The Stuttgart teaching project of Prof. Sandra Richter is being conducted in cooperation with Dr. Marcel Lepper from the Marbach German Literature Archive (DLA). Due to the unique DLA portfolio in lessons formats specifically developed for this purpose, students develop fundamental questions on research in literary studies.
The University of Stuttgart was able to assert itself in the final of the competition “SammLehr“ against 96 applications from 54 universities in Germany. In total nine universities with their concepts for greater object-specific research were selected by a jury. Along with the University of Stuttgart, the universities of Aachen, Dortmund, Dresden, Erfurt, Erlangen, Freiburg, Göttingen and Jena are being supported.
Prof. Wolfram Ressel, Rector of the University of Stuttgart commented on the decision by the jury: “The distinction by the Mercator Foundation shows that the University of Stuttgart with its specific orientation geared towards humanities research and teaching has chosen a successful and highly acclaimed path in the environment of a technically oriented university.“
Prof. Sandra Richter emphasises that the project is making a contribution towards the considered
way of transmission and the research-oriented teaching in the humanities: “The literary objects are
not only questioned in terms of the observation and educational potential for the teaching but from
the very beginning in terms of the specific knowledge potential.“ As Richter further explains, we
have observed in recent years a turning away in humanity subjects from the great drafts for
theories and the theoretically substantiated turning towards the objects: ”The literary studies
field is rediscovering aspects that belong to their central tasks and processes, contemplated from
a scientific point of view: working on the book, the manuscript, on unique portfolios and
collections.“
“The selected concepts are exemplary for a successful and sustainable connection between
collecting activities and teaching“, said Prof. Dr. Bernhard Lorentz, Managing Director of the
Mercator Foundation. “The great response to our tender shows that at German universities there is a
diverse stock of collections, which can be used in a beneficial way in university teaching.“
On the initiative “SammLehr“
From fossils and beetles to coins to handwritings and instruments: German universities are rich in collections. In total 86 out of the 105 universities claim a part of this wealth as their own. The only problem is that the collections are being used less and less. As a result of the increased use of new media, such as digital formats and animations, students and teachers are moving increasingly further away from the objects of investigation. In this way teaching is becoming increasingly more abstract. The potential of cultural and aesthetic education in its widest sense lies in the collection objects, which can make a decisive contribution towards improving teaching. The Mercator Foundation would like to develop the inherent potential of the collections and objects with the initiative “SammLehr – an Objekten lehren und lernen“ in another dimension – teaching – and for this purpose is making nearly a million Euros available. The universities in Germany were able to apply with their concepts for more object-related teaching by 31st August 2012.
Your contact person
:
Dr. Hans-Herwig Geyer, University of Stuttgart, University Communication,
Tel. 0711/685-8255, email: hans-herwig.geyer (at) hkom.uni-stuttgart.de
Alexa Hennemann, German Literature Archive Marbach, Press Division,
Tel. 07144/848-173, email: Alexa.Hennemann (at) dla-marbach.de
Marisa Klasen, Mercator Foundation , Press Department,
Tel. 0201/245-2253, email: marisa.klasen (at) stiftung-mercator.de