在中西文化相互碰撞、衝突與調和的中國近代史上，不論是傳統學術或是新興的知識範疇都必須在此前所未有之變局中朝向現代學院化的學術體制轉型及站穩腳根。各類學科的體制形成無疑的有其自身背後的文化背景與歷史因素，在不斷的發展與調適的歷程中逐漸造就其內在的典章制度。外國文學在中國近代史上被視為一門學科且獲得確立的時代晚於西方自然與社會科學，本文試圖從清末新式學堂與教會學校對西方語文的教育方針、課程設置、近代知識分子對於西文的認知定位以及學門地位的確立著手，來梳理出當時的教育及學術思想界在此一新學門的設科的過程中產生何種助力與阻力，並討論民初北大與清華外文系所的發展。

In modern history of China, traditional and western culture had the process of collision, conflict and harmonization. No matter traditional academy or new developing knowledge category, they must had being orientated and transformed in modern academic system of institute and base themselves on the unprecedented changed situation. Undoubtedly, the forming of discipline has their own historical factor and culture background, accomplishing their internal decrees and regulations gradually in constant adjustment and development. Literature of foreign language is considered as a discipline and era established and later than the western nature and social science in China's modern history. This text tries to discuss about the establishment and development of foreign languages department in Beijing University and Tsing-Hua University.