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The ZfL
The ZfL is a humanities institute for literary research in interdisciplinary contexts that draws from a cultural studies framework. Its methods also engage with the structural transformations within historical-hermeneutic subject areas that have taken place in recent decades. In contrast to the study of literature at universities, predominantly organized by nationality, the ZfL fosters a broad concept of literature, but also uses interdisciplinary tools to fundamentally question the etiology of various literary concepts, their potential for the future, and the relationship between literature and other arts or cultural practices. This is done in the three program area History of Theory, World Literature, Knowledge of Life, and in the key projects.
News
![White computer keys forming the word “SHK” (for student assistant) against a golden backdrop.](assets/images/8/stellenausschreibung_shk_gold-d8ac598f.jpg)
Job advertisement: Student assistant (m/f/d) in the Knowledge transfer and Communications Department
![Teaserbild Audiothek](files/zfl/fotos/mediathek_vorschaubilder/audiothek/teaserbild_audiothek.jpg)
New in the audio collection: Falko Schmieder on the 20th century in basic concepts
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New on the ZfL BLOG: Matthias Schwartz on the success of a Russian TV series on both sides of the front line
Research
History of Theory
analyzes the genealogy of theory and develops innovative forms of historicizing it.
read moreWorld Literature
disusses the global interrelations of literature and its potential to shape the world.
read moreKnowledge of Life
investigates the knowlege of life in historical and interdisciplinary respects.
read more