A theory of literature may also be said to underlie the discipline of literary history. The study of the historical development of literature may seem at first sight to be more objective than the criticism of a given work, even though it generally includes criticism as well as mere factual information about literature. But even the more "objective" data are submitted to a theory of literature, which determines which facts relative to the works, the autors or the social context are thought relevant to be included in such a history of literature (Batman? Agatha Christie?). But literary history and literary theory as such are obviously different undertakings. And there can be a history of literary theory (with its own assumptions or underlying literary theory) just as there is a history of literature.