Jansenism and German Literature 1640-1780: Studies in the History of Books, of Ideas, and the Church

• Applicant: Privatdozent Dr. Christoph Schmitt-Maass
• Subject Area: German Literary and Cultural Studies (Modern German Literature) ; General and Comparative Literature and Cultural Studies ; Roman Catholic Theology
• Term: from 2018 to 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 416363506

According to recent international research on the impact of Jansenism, this primarely theological controvery could not only be described as an alternative to the roman church, but as its adjustment, and accompaniment to Catholic Enlightenment. My main argument is, that Jansenism had - even in German speaking lands and till this day overlooked - a massive impact on Theology, Philosophy, Education, and Literature. To capture this concealed relevancy, I will first cover all book prints of jansenistic authors (mainly translations from French), which has been published betwenn 1640 and 1780 in the German speaking lands (Habsburger empire, German Reich, Old Swiss Confederacy). Based on this bibliography, the networks of the Jansenists become visible. Second, the controversial theological writings (published in German speaking lands) can be captured and analysed. The accquisition of the theological reception of Jansenism in Lutheran Orthodoxy (before 1700) and Pietism (after 1700) is a basis to evaluate the impact of Jansenism on pedagogy, philosophy, and belles lettres.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants