K. Ludwig Pfeiffer
Encyclopedia
K. Ludwig Pfeiffer is a German scholar in literary
, media
and cultural studies
, born on February 23, 1944 in Neustadt an der Aisch
, Middle Franconia
, Germany
. Besides his own publications, he is the editor and co-editor of 14 volumes in various research disciplines.
, English
and French
literature and language at Würzburg University to which he added German literature after his first state exam in 1967 (second state exam in 1969). Again at Würzburg University in 1973, he took his PhD
with a dissertation on the problems of literary interpretation, adopting and adapting perspectives of the theory of language
and philosophy of science
. In 1977, he took his Habilitation
at Konstanz University with a book written from the point of view of a theory of consciousness
, on the functional history of the 19th century English novel
, especially the novels of George Meredith
. Pfeiffer’s scholarly development is marked by the adjustment and relocation of literary studies in broader media and cultural contexts. These, in turn, are re-examined in anthropological terms.
In 1978, he became Professor of English at the Ruhr University Bochum, and in 1979 Professor of English
and Comparative Literature
at the University of Siegen
(Professor Emeritus as of 2009). Since 2007 he has been at Jacobs University Bremen. As (Distinguished) Visiting Professor and Fellow
he has taught and pursued research at US-American
(amongst others Harvard and Stanford Universities, the University of California at Irvine and Santa Cruz), Japanese
, Brazilian
and German
universities.
Literary theory
Literary theory in a strict sense is the systematic study of the nature of literature and of the methods for analyzing literature. However, literary scholarship since the 19th century often includes—in addition to, or even instead of literary theory in the strict sense—considerations of...
, media
Media studies
Media studies is an academic discipline and field of study that deals with the content, history and effects of various media; in particular, the 'mass media'. Media studies may draw on traditions from both the social sciences and the humanities, but mostly from its core disciplines of mass...
and cultural studies
Cultural studies
Cultural studies is an academic field grounded in critical theory and literary criticism. It generally concerns the political nature of contemporary culture, as well as its historical foundations, conflicts, and defining traits. It is, to this extent, largely distinguished from cultural...
, born on February 23, 1944 in Neustadt an der Aisch
Neustadt an der Aisch
Neustadt an der Aisch is a small town in the northern part of Bavaria , within the Franconian administrative region Middle Franconia,...
, Middle Franconia
Middle Franconia
Middle Franconia is one of the three administrative regions of Franconia in Bavaria, Germany. It is in the west of Bavaria and adjoins the state of Baden-Württemberg...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. Besides his own publications, he is the editor and co-editor of 14 volumes in various research disciplines.
Life and Development
From 1963 to 1967 he studied philosophyPhilosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
, English
English literature
English literature is the literature written in the English language, including literature composed in English by writers not necessarily from England; for example, Robert Burns was Scottish, James Joyce was Irish, Joseph Conrad was Polish, Dylan Thomas was Welsh, Edgar Allan Poe was American, J....
and French
French literature
French literature is, generally speaking, literature written in the French language, particularly by citizens of France; it may also refer to literature written by people living in France who speak traditional languages of France other than French. Literature written in French language, by citizens...
literature and language at Würzburg University to which he added German literature after his first state exam in 1967 (second state exam in 1969). Again at Würzburg University in 1973, he took his PhD
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
with a dissertation on the problems of literary interpretation, adopting and adapting perspectives of the theory of language
Philosophy of language
Philosophy of language is the reasoned inquiry into the nature, origins, and usage of language. As a topic, the philosophy of language for analytic philosophers is concerned with four central problems: the nature of meaning, language use, language cognition, and the relationship between language...
and philosophy of science
Philosophy of science
The philosophy of science is concerned with the assumptions, foundations, methods and implications of science. It is also concerned with the use and merit of science and sometimes overlaps metaphysics and epistemology by exploring whether scientific results are actually a study of truth...
. In 1977, he took his Habilitation
Habilitation
Habilitation is the highest academic qualification a scholar can achieve by his or her own pursuit in several European and Asian countries. Earned after obtaining a research doctorate, such as a PhD, habilitation requires the candidate to write a professorial thesis based on independent...
at Konstanz University with a book written from the point of view of a theory of consciousness
Consciousness
Consciousness is a term that refers to the relationship between the mind and the world with which it interacts. It has been defined as: subjectivity, awareness, the ability to experience or to feel, wakefulness, having a sense of selfhood, and the executive control system of the mind...
, on the functional history of the 19th century English novel
English novel
The English novel is an important part of English literature.-Early novels in English:A number of works of literature have each been claimed as the first novel in English. See the article First novel in English.-Romantic novel:...
, especially the novels of George Meredith
George Meredith
George Meredith, OM was an English novelist and poet of the Victorian era.- Life :Meredith was born in Portsmouth, England, a son and grandson of naval outfitters. His mother died when he was five. At the age of 14 he was sent to a Moravian School in Neuwied, Germany, where he remained for two...
. Pfeiffer’s scholarly development is marked by the adjustment and relocation of literary studies in broader media and cultural contexts. These, in turn, are re-examined in anthropological terms.
In 1978, he became Professor of English at the Ruhr University Bochum, and in 1979 Professor of English
English studies
English studies is an academic discipline that includes the study of literatures written in the English language , English linguistics English studies is an academic discipline that includes the study of literatures written in the English language (including literatures from the U.K., U.S.,...
and Comparative Literature
Comparative literature
Comparative literature is an academic field dealing with the literature of two or more different linguistic, cultural or national groups...
at the University of Siegen
University of Siegen
The University of Siegen in Siegen, North Rhine-Westphalia, was founded in 1972. 14,100 students were enrolled at the university as of October 2010.-Faculties:University of Siegen offers in total 126 degree programmes across four faculties:...
(Professor Emeritus as of 2009). Since 2007 he has been at Jacobs University Bremen. As (Distinguished) Visiting Professor and Fellow
Fellow
A fellow in the broadest sense is someone who is an equal or a comrade. The term fellow is also used to describe a person, particularly by those in the upper social classes. It is most often used in an academic context: a fellow is often part of an elite group of learned people who are awarded...
he has taught and pursued research at US-American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
(amongst others Harvard and Stanford Universities, the University of California at Irvine and Santa Cruz), Japanese
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, Brazilian
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
and German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
universities.
Publications
- Sprachtheorie, Wissenschaftstheorie und das Problem der Textinterpretation. Amsterdam: Rodopi, 1974.
- Wissenschaft als Sujet im modernen englischen Roman. Konstanz: Universitätsverlag, 1979.
- Bilder der Realität und die Realität der Bilder: Verbrauchte Formen in den Romanen George Merediths. Munich: Fink, 1981.
- Das Mediale und das Imaginäre: Dimensionen kulturanthropologischer Medientheorie. Frankfurt/Main: Suhrkamp, 1999. (Hungarian translation 2005)
- The Protoliterary: Steps towards an Anthropology of Culture. Stanford: Stanford University Press, 2002.
- Von der Materialität der Kommunikation zur Medienanthropologie: Aufsätze zur Methodologie der Literatur- und Kulturwissenschaften, 1977-2009. Edited by Ingo Berensmeyer and Nicola Glaubitz. Heidelberg: Carl Winter, 2009.
External links
- K. Ludwig Pfeiffer's homepage at www.jacobs-university.de with up-to-date CV and publication list
- Short CV and research profile
- Short research profile (in German)
- K. Ludwig Pfeiffer in the German National LibraryGerman National LibraryThe German National Library is the central archival library and national bibliographic centre for the Federal Republic of Germany...
's catalog (in German)