General and Comparative Literature Studies

General and Comparative Literature Studies, abbreviated as AVL, explores the diverse connections that link the literatures, cultures, and media of the world. It examines literature through the lens of philology, philosophy, and psychoanalysis.

Here are some of the questions we ask:

• Why is literature significant?
• How does it relate to other arts, as well as to everyday language, advertising, science, philosophy, psychology, psychoanalysis, politics, ethics, law, and historiography?
• What is fiction, and why do we need it?
• What happens to our understanding of language and the world when translating into another language?
• How does literature transform the way we read, speak, and think, our relationships with others, and our connection to the world?

Introducing AVL Frankfurt  
The Institute for General and Comparative Literature Studies was established in 2001 within the Department of Modern Philology. Beyond nationally focused philological disciplines, we conduct research at the intersections of literatures, languages, philosophy, art, religion, psychoanalysis, and other media shaped by language.

Currently, our faculty members are researching the following areas:

• International literary theories, ecocriticism, postcolonial and gender studies  
  Psychoanalysis and literature  
• European and non-European literatures from the early modern age to the present  
  Literature and translation  
• What can you expect from your studies?  
  AVL is a great fit for you if you enjoy theory and literature, both in their original languages and in translation.
• You’ll benefit from our strong connections with other departments and have the opportunity to engage with philosophy, art history, theater, film and media studies, sociology, legal and religious studies, political science, and psychology.

Why Frankfurt?  
As a student at our institute, you’ll enjoy the vibrant cultural scene of Frankfurt, home to the world’s largest book fair and numerous publishers, cultural institutions, and media companies offering internships and career opportunities.

Through elective modules in your program, you can also take advantage of the offerings of other humanities and social science departments at Goethe University, with which our institute collaborates.

A key hub for comparative literature research is the AVL Specialized Information Service , housed at the Goethe University Library since 2016.

The undergraduate program in General and Comparative Literature Studies has a standard period of study of 6 semesters and awards 120 ECTS credits. It introduces students to the theoretical and scientific fundamentals of the field, provides a historical overview of world literatures, and offers opportunities for focused exploration of selected literary texts and topics that are central to the discipline (see the general description of the field and the Frankfurt Institute). A minor (60 ECTS credits) complements the major program. In Frankfurt, students can choose from a variety of subjects, including German studies, Romance studies, English studies, philosophy, art history, and many others.

The program requires passive language proficiency in English and French at a B2 level, which is verified by completing the B2 module. Students are strongly encouraged to study an additional modern foreign language or Latin. The B2 module must be completed by the end of the fourth semester.

The program is divided into a foundational phase (1st–4th semester, consisting of 5 compulsory modules and one compulsory elective module) and a qualification phase (5th–6th semester, consisting of 2 compulsory modules, one additional compulsory elective module, and the B.A. thesis).

For more information about the major in General and Comparative Literature Studies, please visit the department's webpage.