The University of Münster is the only place in Germany where book studies (German: “Buchwissenschaft”) is taught with a focus on anglophone book culture and book history.
In connection to courses offered in literary and cultural studies as well as linguistics, book studies has been an integral part of the English Department’s Master of Arts program in British, American and Postcolonial Studies (BAPS) since 2009.
In 2015, book studies courses were also integrated into the curriculum of the English Department’s Master of Arts program National and Transnational Studies (NTS).
Starting in 2020, undergraduates at the English Department will also have the opportunity to enroll in at least one book studies course per semester.

Concept

The Chair of Book Studies at the University of Münster specializes in research on book history and publishing studies with a particular focus on the Anglophone world. We base our research and teaching activities on a broad understanding of book studies, which comprises printed and digital text forms and focuses on the various contexts of book production, distribution and reception (i.e. the cultural, social, economic, political and legal dimensions). We are firmly committed to integrating feminist and decolonial practices in our research and in our teaching.