Between National Literature and World Literature. Teaching Literature in Germany Today
Between National Literature and World Literature. Teaching Literature in Germany Today

Summary/Abstract: Which role does the concept of “Nationalliteratur” play at school and university in present-day Germany? In other words: What does “deutsche Literatur” (German literature) mean in German school lessons today? Can “German literature” be defined as national any longer when it is referred to as “deutsch”? How is this then conceptualized? The switch to the notion of “German literature” was on purpose because the term “Nationalliteratur” is no longer in use in academic discussions about reading lists at universities or even schools, which is an interesting fact in itself.1 Of course the concept, which is connected to the idea of “Nationalsprache”, was shaped by German poets and philosophers, more precisely by Herder and Wieland, and of course it had a very successful and influential history during the nineteenth century. Nonetheless – due to historical circumstances – it was critically reflected and discussed in the discipline of “Germanistik” itself which had noticeable effect on the canon debate and the reading lists at school and university until today.

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