Comparative Literature (M.A.)

Comparative literature is the science of literature in its international and interdisciplinary relations. As general literary studies , comparative literature deals with fundamental questions of literary theory, methodology, poetics and intertextuality. As comparative literature , it deals with the totality of formal, historical and thematic relationships between works from different time, language and cultural areas. It also focuses on the interaction between literature and the other arts, between literature and media, as well as between literature and philosophy, natural science, politics and religion.

The Department for Comparative Literature in Göttingen has a mutually fruitful exchange and complementary relationship with the individual philologies and the historical, media, art and cultural sciences. It moves in the transitional and contact zones of many individual subjects of the spectrum of literature, art, media, history and cultural studies. In doing so, it takes up and expands their insights and questions. At the same time, the comparative perspective opens up stimulating and innovative points of view for the study of national literatures and the individual arts.

Comparative Literature in Göttingen is a joint interdisciplinary course offered by the philologies as well as other subjects from the spectrum of the arts, cultural studies and history. The subject is designed as a teaching network. The activities of the comparative courses of the professors with a minor in comparative literature and the courses of the coordinator of the degree programme as well as the interdisciplinary lecture series and conferences for young academics form a central component of the study programme.

The Master's programme in Comparative Literature with the degree "Master of Arts" (M.A.) prepares students for jobs in publishing, international cultural exchange, cultural management, educational institutions and journalism, but also qualifies them for academic careers at universities, research institutions and archives.

Our practice-oriented cooperations with regional and supra-regional institutions (LitLog, the Literary Centre Göttingen) and our guest lectureships provide an insight into professional fields suitable for comparatists.