Universities had already adopted a distinctly international orientation during the Middle Ages and the Early Modern Period. They attracted students from across Europe. Both students and scholars often faced numerous challenges on their journeys through the academic world, ranging from the confiscation of their property to threats to their personal safety. In 1158, Emperor Frederick Barbarossa decreed the ‘Authentica habita‘ to promote and secure academic mobility - a document that was incorporated into Roman law and granted scholars certain privileges, which were expanded over the centuries.
The term ‘academic freedom‘ (libertas scholastica) appears in several contexts throughout the history of early European university, carrying a dual meaning - both a legal and a socio-historical dimension: Originally, ‘freedom’ in the academic context referred to the traditional privileges and customary rights of the university as a legal corporate association, which in the pre-modern era was still a corporation of persons. This corporate legal autonomy enjoyed by universities and the individuals operating within them - both teachers and students - was closely linked to the existence of an exempt academic citizenship (civis academicus / university relatives), distinct from municipal jurisdiction. This autonomy gave rise to the emergence of the scholar as an exclusive social class from the Middle Ages onward, grounded in specific academic privileges.
With the socio-historical consequences of the Reformation, particularly through the dissolution of the older academic order - characterized by monastery-like residential, learning and living communities within halls, ‘Bursen‘ and colleges that were regulated by university authorities and managed by masters - there emerged, initially at Protestant universities, the ‘free‘ student, one who resided privately outside the university in the city and claimed a range of class privileges: This phenomenon, celebrated in student culture during the 18th and 19th centuries, became known as ‘Burschenfreiheit‘ (freedom of the fraternity) or ‘Burschenherrlichkeit‘ (fraternities glory). The sword, which initially served as a distinction of noble status, became a symbol of student freedom and the emancipated student, alongside certain behavioural forms such as provocations, attire, and song. At Catholic universities, particularly in Central and Eastern Central Europe, which were characterized by the Jesuit order and the continuation of monastic lifestyles until their dissolution, this described process of student emancipation occurred significantly later, only gaining momentum towards the end of the 18th century. This development, much like in Protestant academic circles, culminated under the influence of the French Revolution in a general movement towards the politicisation and civilising of students.
The often described conflict of 'Town and Gown' in university historical research, referring to the opposition between university members and town citizens, requires critical examination: Indeed, within the academic sphere, there were specific practices associated with social class that were perceived as deviant and rejected by the inhabitants of university towns. However, the documented observations thus far suggest that deviant behaviour can often be attributed to only a minority of university members. Conversely, the town citizens relied on the university for cohabitation with its members - not least for economic reasons. Consequently, there were not merely two parallel societies existing within university towns, but rather a symbiotic coexistence of both.
This conference is intended to gather scholarly contributions that address the long-discussed horizons of inquiry within university and educational history research. The organisers are primarily focused on reconstructing student life and mentalities both within and outside of lectio and collegium, aiming to describe the social dynamics of student practices from both chronological and diachronic perspectives. Possible topics include:
- deviant behaviour, conflict, and violence practices among students (e.g. duelling, riots, student expulsions, alcohol abuse, gambling, fornication)
- social and legal mechanisms of discipline (e.g. through university jurisdiction, disciplinary regulations, awarding of scholarships)
- local conflicts between university members and the urban population, as well as with military personnel during war and peace
- comparisons of the conflict cultures of aristocratic and non-aristocratic students
Scholars are kindly invited to submit proposals for presentations (in either German or English, with a maximum length of 3,500 characters), accompanied by a brief biographical note (including name and institutional affiliation), to Prof Dr Matthias Asche: maasche@uni-potsdam.de by 28th Februar 2025 at the latest.
Time limit for presentations: 20 minutes
Conference languages: German and English
Travel and accommodation expenses, along with meals, will be covered for invited speakers.