Aspects of Studying Literary Communication in German Speaking Countries Cover Image

Aspekty výskumu literárnej komunikácie v nemecky hovoriacich krajinách
Aspects of Studying Literary Communication in German Speaking Countries

Author(s): Roman Mikuláš
Subject(s): Literary Texts
Published by: Ústav svetovej literatúry, Slovenská akadémia vied
Keywords: Literary Communication; Systems Theory; Communication Theory; Theory of Autopoietic Systems; Niklas Luhmann; Leiden Model; Empiric Literary Theory

Summary/Abstract: The article focuses on the reconstruction of discourses on literary communication in the context of German literary studies. In German literary studies, discussions on literary communication mostly refer to Niklas Luhmann’s attempts to apply the systems theory to literary studies – i.e., the study of literature as a communication/social system. Luhmann’s reception in Germany is very divergent and has a transdisciplinary character. It is not easy to identify elements of systems theory in the cross-overs of literary studies and cultural and media studies. It seems meaningful to focus on the study of literary/aesthetic communication, which is, however, a long-term project. What we can offer here is only a few explorations to clarify the contribution of system-theory-oriented approaches in literary studies, or, alternatively, its limits. The problem is that in the situation when certain elements of Luhmann’s theory are isolated and integrated into various literary studies projects, it is not possible to speak of systems-theory literary studies as a homogeneous stream with clear aims and methods. Therefore, it is necessary to map this discourse aspect by aspect.

  • Issue Year: VI/2014
  • Issue No: 3
  • Page Range: 79-99
  • Page Count: 21
  • Language: Slovak