Program Overview

Allgemeine und Vergleichende Literaturwissenschaft

Overview of the Program

The Allgemeine und Vergleichende Literaturwissenschaft (AVL) program at the University of Zurich focuses on literature in its unique characteristics and diversity. The program transcends language boundaries and explores literature's extensions into various fields, including art, theater, music, and other media.

Program Description

The AVL program is designed for students who are passionate about reading and eager to engage with both literary and theoretical texts. The program requires a willingness to explore different text types and genres, and to think critically about the relationships between texts, words, and literature theories across various languages and cultures. The program's curriculum includes the study of literature from the German, Romance, Anglo-Saxon, and Slavic language areas, as well as ancient literature.

Student Testimonials

• «The AVL program has enriched not only my thinking but also my life by allowing me to explore the worlds and landscapes built from language and to understand their construction.»
• «I love literature, but I also have a great interest in theoretical texts. The AVL program gives me the opportunity to combine both, for example, by analyzing a literary text with a philosophical or psychoanalytic text in a seminar.»
• «Reading literary texts is like solving puzzles: it requires a sense of curiosity, an eye for clues, and the willingness to engage in conversations about all aspects of the text. The search for meaning is always suspenseful and surprising.»
• «Since I am also interested in visual arts, choosing a program was not easy. The AVL program, where literature is compared not only across language boundaries but also with other media, has become my perfect home.»
• «Investigating the diversity of linguistic expression possibilities is like looking into a mirror that shows oneself and the world in ever-new facets. Exploring the foundations of language also revitalizes one's own speaking and the way we inhabit languages.»
• «The two greatest strengths of the AVL program are its diversity and freedom of choice. I appreciate being able to create my individual study program from courses on various authors and topics.»

Program Structure

The AVL program is structured to provide students with a deep understanding of literature and its theoretical foundations. The program includes a range of courses that allow students to explore different aspects of literature, from the analysis of literary texts to the study of literature theories and their applications.

Research Areas

The AVL program at the University of Zurich covers a wide range of research areas, including:

• Literature from the German, Romance, Anglo-Saxon, and Slavic language areas
• Ancient literature
• Comparative literature
• Literature theory
• Interdisciplinary studies of literature and other arts

Conclusion

The Allgemeine und Vergleichende Literaturwissenschaft program at the University of Zurich offers students a unique opportunity to engage with literature in all its diversity and complexity. With its emphasis on critical thinking, interdisciplinary approaches, and linguistic diversity, the program provides students with a rich and challenging academic experience that prepares them for a wide range of careers in academia, education, and beyond.