In the framework of the lecture “Digital Literature - Hypertext to AI” by Univ.-Prof. Dr. Julia Hoydis
THURSDAY 6th November 2025
15:15 / 3:15 PM
HS 11.01
Computational Literary Studies: From Annotation to AI-driven Text Analysis
Computational Literary Studies (CLS) aim to complement traditional literary studies with quantitative approaches by drawing on methods from statistics, machine learning, and natural language processing (NLP).
This lecture introduces the theory-driven branch of CLS. It will outline the main steps: from formulating literary research questions to the operationalization of domain-specific concepts, the annotation of test and training data, and their implementation in computational models.
Special attention will be given to the new challenges and opportunities that arise with the advent of artificial intelligence and large language models (LLMs). The central question is how LLMs reshape workflows in CLS. To illustrate this, the lecture presents a case study that addresses a critical issue in classification: domain-specific conceptual engineering. This refers to the process of describing, evaluating, and revising scholarly concepts to ensure their applicability. In CLS, such work is essential because digital methods require the operationalization of literary concepts – that is, defining them in a way that allows for measurable application. This often involves adapting both the meaning and the scope of concepts. The case study explores whether LLMs can effectively support such re-conceptualizations within the prompt-and-predict paradigm.
By engaging with both theoretical foundations and hands-on examples, the lecture invites students to critically reflect on how digital methods transform literary studies and to explore the potentials and limitations of AI-driven research in the humanities.
Bio:
Axel Pichler studied German Studies and Philosophy in Graz and Vienna, completing his PhD in 2009 at the University of Graz with a dissertation on Friedrich Nietzsche. He has held research and teaching positions in Modern German Literature and Digital Humanities at institutions including the University of Stuttgart and the Freie Universität Berlin. Since the summer semester of 2025, he has been an Assistant Professor for Modern German Literature and Digital Literary Studies at the University of Vienna.