BERLIN, November 23, 2009 – The philologist Professor Dr. Joachim Küpper from Freie Universität Berlin has been granted funding in the amount of 2.4 million euros from the European Research Council (ERC) for the project "Early Modern European Drama and the Cultural Net." The research project, to be funded with an ERC Advanced Investigator Grant, aims to work out a comprehensive analysis of early Western drama, considered to be the first mass media phenomenon in history. In addition, the explanatory power of the metaphor of the "cultural network" will be investigated. Küpper's project was selected from 1584 proposals and as one of 335 in the humanities and social sciences.

Over a period of five years, the funding will be used to build an international team of young and advanced researchers to study, under the guidance of Professor Küpper, European drama and theater of the early modern period as the first mass medium in history. In addition, the interaction with other cultures, such as with Japan and with India, will be investigated. During this period Küpper will write a book dealing with the issue of how cultural exchange processes differ from economic and political processes. The hypothesis here is the idea that art and culture are open networks.

NEW YORK and BERLIN, November 2, 2009 – A new book released by the Institute of International Education (IIE) and Freie Universität Berlin features practical recommendations for developing and delivering collaborative degree programs between U.S. and European universities. The publication, Joint and Double Degree Programs: An Emerging Model for Transatlantic Exchange, features articles and insights from higher education administrators and practitioners on both sides of the Atlantic who are seeking to equip their students with the international experience, perspective and skills to succeed in today’s global economy.