Allgemeine und vergleichende Literaturwissenschaft (grundständig)

The studies (Studium) take place at universities. Learning locations at the university include lecture halls, seminar and practice rooms, language labs, and libraries. Students also study at home (e.g., preparing for and reviewing courses, completing assignments; possibly participating in online courses).

This is a foundational (grundständig) university study program. Study options are at universities, leading to a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree. The standard study period is 3-4 years. The foundational study program in General and Comparative Literature provides fundamental scientific knowledge in literary history, literary interpretation, literary theory, and textual criticism. This subject can sometimes be combined with other fields. Possible foundational degree programs include General and Comparative Literature, Applied Literary and Cultural Studies, European Literatures and Media in a Global Context, International Literatures, Comparatistics (European Literature), and World Literature. Admission to universities and equivalent institutions requires a general or, if applicable, subject-specific higher education entrance qualification (Hochschulreife). An internal university selection process may be required, as well as proof of proficiency in English or a second modern foreign language.

The standard duration of study is 6-8 semesters. The average actual duration of study is 8 semesters. Source: Statistisches Bundesamt, Statistischer Bericht - Statistik der Prüfungen an deutschen Hochschulen - Prüfungsjahr 2024.

Study costs include enrollment and administration fees, as well as semester contributions (e.g., for the Studierendenwerk, student body, semester ticket). Tuition fees may apply for 'long-term students,' for a second degree (Zweitstudium), or after exhausting a set study credit. Expenses for learning materials and study needs, such as specialized literature and excursions, are also incurred. Contributions for student health insurance are typically required when exceeding the age limit of 25 years or certain income thresholds. Information on funding opportunities can be found from the Deutsches Studierendenwerk and the Federal Law on Individual Promotion of Education (Bundesausbildungsförderungsgesetz - BAföG).

Compulsory modules include, for example, Introduction to Comparatistics (Comparative Literature), European Literary History, Literary Education and Cultural Practice, Literary Theory/Methods of Text Analysis, Literature and Culture/Media, Media Change, Culture and Knowledge Transfer. Elective modules may include Old German Studies, English/American Studies, Epochs, Genres, Authors, Works (of various languages and cultures), French Romance Studies, Iberian Romance Studies, Italian Romance Studies, Culture and Media in a Transnational Context, and Latin Studies. Practical study content may include internships (Praktika) (e.g., in media companies).

Students should be prepared for the following conditions and requirements: Attending lectures and seminars during the semester in the university's lecture halls and seminar rooms; possibly participating in online courses from home. Practical exercises include, for example, bibliographic tasks and internet research. Independent work involves preparing for and reviewing courses, researching in libraries, preparing presentations, and writing term papers (also during semester breaks). Organization requires independently planning studies within the given structure, adhering to deadlines and study periods, and timely completion of study and examination achievements (self-discipline and organizational talent are necessary). Career preparation may involve completing internships (Praktika) (e.g., at culture-related institutions) and preparing for entry into a profession.

Students can complete parts of their studies abroad. For example, in France, there is a binational German-French undergraduate program "Komparatistik/Europäische Literatur" between Johannes-Gutenberg-Universität Mainz and Université de Bourgogne (Dijon). The degree awarded can be a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Education, or Licence. For more information, please refer to the University of Mainz's Binational Study Program Humanities.

The following fields of study can be alternatives for the General and Comparative Literature (undergraduate) program: In the field of Language and Literature Studies: General and Comparative Linguistics (undergraduate), English Studies, American Studies (undergraduate), Digital Humanities/Computational Philology (undergraduate), German Studies (undergraduate), Romance Studies (undergraduate), Scandinavian Studies (undergraduate), Slavic Studies (undergraduate). Commonalities include working with language, applying literary-historical and literary-theoretical methods, and acquiring knowledge about language and literature, as well as culture, history, philosophy, political and social institutions, and education systems.

In-depth knowledge in the following school subjects are good prerequisites for a successful Studium (university study): German (e.g., good language comprehension for dealing with literary texts), English, French, Italian, Latin, Russian, Spanish (e.g., to read foreign language specialized literature), Politics/Social Studies and History (e.g., to contextualize political, social, and economic structures in literature).

Additional and key qualifications facilitate a successful career entry. For example, topics such as intercultural competence, rhetoric, and information processing are relevant. Elective and optional modules like Culture or Media can also provide additional qualifications. Praktika (internships), for instance, in culture-related institutions, specifically prepare for professional life. Opportunities for acquiring additional and key qualifications can be found at the Career Centers of universities (see contact details of the respective university). For universities in Germany, refer to the Hochschulkompass university search.

The undergraduate program in General and Comparative Literature provides fundamental scientific knowledge in literary history, literary interpretation, literary theory, and textual criticism. It leads to a first university degree. This field of study can partially be combined with other subjects.

Examples: General and Comparative Literature (Bachelor), Applied Literary and Cultural Studies (Bachelor), European Literatures and Media in a Global Context (Bachelor), International Literatures (Bachelor), Comparative Literature (Bachelor), Comparative Literature (European Literature) (Bachelor), World Literature (Bachelor).

Depending on the university, the academic subject of General and Comparative Literature can be combined with, for example, one of the following subjects: English Studies, American Studies (undergraduate); Educational Science (undergraduate); German Studies (undergraduate); History (undergraduate); Computer Science (undergraduate); Media Studies (undergraduate); Philosophy, Ethics (undergraduate); Romance Studies (undergraduate); Theatre Studies (undergraduate).

For Bachelor graduates of General and Comparative Literature, various fields of activity are available in the private sector, such as editing, journalism, proofreading, or adult education.

In the early 19th century, literary studies emerged roughly at the same time as German Studies; initially, it was a sub-area of German Studies and other philologies. In 1946, the first professorship for Comparative Literature was established in Germany at the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz (by the French occupation forces). In 1999, the Bologna Process began, aiming to reform the European higher education landscape with goals such as creating a unified European Higher Education Area, harmonizing study programs and degrees (introduction of Bachelor's and Master's programs), and improving the mobility of students and lecturers.

Degree: Bachelor of Arts (B.A.).

The following vocational training (Ausbildung) professions can be alternatives for this academic subject: In the field of journalism and editing, a journalist or editor. Commonalities include working with texts, public relations, and literary mediation. Searching by professional fields may open up further alternatives. For more information on perspectives after dropping out of a Studium (university degree program): 'Studienabbruch - und dann?' and 'studienwahl.de'.

No remuneration is received during the Studium (university degree program). Compensation can be agreed upon for practical phases.

Depending on the university and study program, specialization is possible in areas such as interdisciplinary literary and cultural studies, poetics/rhetoric/aesthetics, or comparative literary history.

Legal regulations for studying are determined at the federal level (Hochschulrahmengesetz - Higher Education Framework Act, inter-state structural requirements for the accreditation of Bachelor's and Master's programs, qualification framework for German higher education degrees) and at the state (Bundesland) level (Hochschulgesetze - Higher Education Acts, qualification or university admission regulations). Additionally, each university has its own statutes and study and examination regulations.

The prerequisite for studying at universities (Universitäten) and equivalent higher education institutions (gleichgestellte Hochschulen) is the general or, if applicable, subject-specific higher education entrance qualification (Hochschulreife) or a certificate recognized as equivalent by the competent authority of the federal state (Bundesland) (e.g., Ministry of Culture). Information on studying without a school-based higher education entrance qualification for professionally qualified individuals is available. Depending on the university, an internal university selection process may take place. If necessary, knowledge of English or a second modern foreign language, or Latin, must be demonstrated.

Bachelor's graduates in General and Comparative Literature (Allgemeine und vergleichende Literaturwissenschaft) can continue their studies in an advanced subject, such as General and Comparative Literature or Book Studies (Buchwissenschaft), thereby expanding their professional and career opportunities. Possible advanced study subjects include English Studies (Anglistik, Amerikanistik), Digital Humanities/Computational Philology, Editorial Science (Editionswissenschaft), Finno-Ugric Studies (Finnougristik), German Studies (Germanistik), Journalism (Journalistik), Celtic Studies (Keltologie), Korean Studies (Koreanistik), Romance Studies (Romanistik), and Slavic Studies (Slawistik).