A Historical Overview of the Development of Comparative Literature as a Discipline

İngilizce (OpenAlex)

Although the comparative method has been employed since the early periods of literary history, the emergence and development of Comparative Literature as a discipline occurred around the 19th century.It took time for Comparative Literature, which essentially began in France, to be accepted as a field or discipline, to find a place in universities, and to establish its disciplinary principles.During this process, it has spread beyond France to other countries, such as England, Germany, and America, exposing Comparative Literature to diverse developments and influences throughout its historical evolution, leading to the emergence of various schools.This article aims to provide a historical background and foundation for future studies by focusing on the development of Comparative Literature across different countries and discussing the discipline's pioneers, drawing on sources from literary and historical scholarship.To this end, this study will contribute to the field by offering a historical perspective on the emergence, application, and publications of Comparative Literature in countries such as France, Germany, England, America, Italy, Russia, and Eastern Europe.