Books published by Peter Lang GmbH

Prepared in cooperation with the Association of University Leaders for a Sustainable Future (ULSF), this book presents a number of case studies and experiences which illustrate how higher education institutions (e. g. universities and colleges) may pursue sustainability.

This study of Wolfram's Parzival concentrates on service for riches in medieval knighthood. The epic is interpreted as a conflict between reciprocal feudal loyalty and self-centered mercenary service. The actions of Gahmuret, Anfortas, Parzival, and Feirefiz are held up against the historical background of the crusades, where service for abstract ideals is undermined by service for material gain. Although the power of riches is subdued by the sword in the end, the author maintains that the Parzival is an heroic defense of feudal values in an historical state of decline. He also criticizes traditional Parzival interpretations based on the chivalric system of the virtues, religious didactics, courtly love relationships, and dynastic relationships.

This research project assesses the extent to which religion influences standards and behaviour in business, by comparing Islamic banking to co-operative banking as carried out by both Christians and Muslims. The study argues that Islamic banks are particular in the kind of products they offer, namely the Islamic financial instruments. On the other hand, it is the organisation which is key to co-operative banks. An empirical investigation of over 100 banks has revealed that Islamic banks are conventional banks with a product range modified according to Islamic religious law. Co-operative banks operate so as 'to help the poor', an objective in line with both Islamic and Christian ethics. The book demonstrates that Muslims and Christians can work together to foster development and to overcome poverty by referring to common ethical standards in business.

This book attempts to build a complete theory of stress in Old English. In particular, the author tries to elucidate the relation, in that language, between stress placement and syllable weight. Eventually, he finds that the syllable should be abandoned as the central notion of Old English metrical phonology and replaced with the mora as an independent unit of phonological quantity. These findings are then applied to a new, phonologically-based analysis of the rhythm of Old English poetry.