‘Het zomersch land onder de vuren lucht’. Over de toekomst van de studie van de Nederlandse letterkunde

Samenvatting

This article discusses the current state of Dutch literary studies at Dutch universities, which is perceived as being in a critical state: the number of students has dropped dramatically, and the gap between teaching and research practices seems to be widening. Many initiatives are taken to turn the tide, for example strengthening the ties between secondary schools and universities. We argue that it remains important to stress the impact of literature in all its forms in society, and that our teaching should not focus on theoretical or methodological approaches only. Valorisation and popularisation play an equally important role in creating a positive image of our discipline, and in bridging the gap between teaching and research practices. We should join forces, in a wider international context, to make Dutch literary studies future-proof.