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Letter from Prof. Dr. A. Schönle (USA) to the Rector
January 31, 2004 Dear Professor Gäbler: As a Swiss citizen, graduate of the Russian Unit at the University of Geneva, and Associate Professor of Slavic Languages and Literatures at the University of Michigan, I am writing to express my deep concern over the planned closing of the Slavic Seminar at the University of Basel. In recent years, the Slavic Seminar at the University of Basel has emerged as one of the most productive, methodologically innovative, and internationally recognized Slavic departments in Switzerland. The Seminar has produced first-rate scholarship in a variety of periods. The works of Prof. Andreas Guski on the Soviet production novel, of Dr. Ulrich Schmid on autobiography and models of the self, and the recent cutting-edge research project on Literature and Commerce initiated by collaborators of the Slavic Seminar have all been broadly and favorably received by the international community of Slavists. The Slavic Seminar has also been admired for its contributions to Slavica Helvetica, the main venue for the international diffusion of Swiss scholarship on Slavic countries. It is fair to state that in its current configuration, the Slavic Seminar is internationally the most visible of all Swiss Slavic departments. In an era of fast-paced integration between Eastern and Western Europe, at a time of increased economic relations between Switzerland and Eastern Europe, when the Swiss economy, and the banking sector in particular, need collaborators that have the linguistic and cultural skills necessary to facilitate contact with partners and consumers from Eastern Europe, I find it most surprising that the University of Basel would deem its Slavic program superfluous. Basel is at linguistic, cultural, religious, and economic crossroads. For centuries the University of Basel has had a distinguished tradition of internationalism and openness. Closing the Slavic Seminar sends the wrong signal. It suggests that Switzerland is no longer willing or able to engage the world, and this at a time when globalization requires continuous exposure to ideas and discourses circulating in the international arena. I don't know of a striving democratic society that has not deemed it necessary to pursue the humanities. Citizens of Basel and the world need the humanities to put the narrow cost-benefit analyses of economists in perspective. The humanities provide citizens with an ability to develop a more self-reflective and supple understanding of their position, values, and identity in the world. And exposure to foreign cultures is essential to such a process. I am concerned that narrow economic considerations will deprive the citizens of Basel and its region of the opportunity to learn about the distinguished cultures of Eastern Europe and Russia. Even here, in the United States, the bastion of economic liberalism, attempts to cut down investment in the humanities, the arts, and cultures have been thwarted. On the contrary, in the wake of the "war" on terrorism, the United States has discovered the strategic necessity of engaging the world and promoting the understanding of foreign cultures and the development of broad linguistic competence. It would be sad, indeed, if the University of Basel chose to pursue isolationist policies in this very context. In short, it is both on narrow scholarly grounds and in the light of broader considerations of public interest that I ask you to reconsider your decision to close a thriving scholarly unit in which the University of Basel should take pride. The international community of Slavists, the peoples of Eastern Europe, and the citizens of Switzerland will thank you for preserving such an important cultural asset. Please feel free to contact me should you wish to discuss this matter further. With my very best regards, Sincerely, Andreas Schönle
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