Few in the academic world will have missed it: the Dutch government plans to impose substantial budget cuts on higher education, posing a significant threat to the humanities. Separately, plans were presented earlier this year in Leiden to merge the language programmes French, German, Italian, Chinese, and Japanese into broader, general programmes. Similarly, geographically focused studies like South and Southeast Asian Studies would be merged, specializations within Middle Eastern Studies are at risk of disappearing and the BA programmes African Studies and Latin American Studies may even be completely scrapped. Multiple (research) MA programmes are also slated to be merged or cut.

Frans Willem Korsten

In this lecture series, the Leiden University Library offers researchers and lecturers a platform to emphasize the importance of their research and fields of study. In previous sessions, Remco Breuker and Alisa van de Haar discussed the significance of Korean Studies and French Language and Culture, respectively. The third speaker in the series is Prof. Dr. Frans-Willem Korsten. He has been affiliated with Leiden University for decades as a researcher and lecturer in the Film and Literary Studies programme. Since 2023, he has held the position of Professor of 'Literature, Culture, and Law' in Leiden. Literature and law, and the intersection of these two fields, have been his intensive focus since 2012. Extending from this research interest, he and several colleagues launched the BA programme ‘Questions of Justice in Law, Literature, and the Arts’ several years ago. From 2007 to 2024, Korsten also served as Special Professor of 'Literature and Society' at Erasmus University Rotterdam.

In his lecture, Korsten will discuss the importance of the humanities, particularly the study of literature and law. He will also highlight the role the University Library plays in his research and teaching. Subject librarian for Film and Literary Studies Tommy van Avermaete will demonstrate, using specific examples, what the collection of the University Library offers in the area of literature and law.

Events about the importance of the humanities, lectures by humanities researchers, for an audience largely consisting of humanities scholars – isn't this preaching to the choir? The answer is: yes, if the aim of the event were to 'convince.' But this audience does not need convincing.

Therefore, the goal is not to conduct a debate, but rather to create a space for reflection where researchers, lecturers, and students can pause to consider questions that they themselves may not always have immediate answers to. By taking the time to engage in dialogue and reflect collectively on the position of humanities scholars, these events aim to better equip scholars for conversations with those who may be less supportive. Nuance and reflection do not preclude a polemical stance or a compelling narrative; on the contrary.

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