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General Literature

The general literature major is intended for the student having special interests, orientations, or competencies that are not readily accommodated by one of the other programs in the Division of Literature and Languages. The student majoring in general literature will follow an individual program of study that may include courses taken from the various departments within the division. Through the general literature major, the student may pursue an interest in a particular combination of literatures: a genre, period, or “ism,” such as autobiography, the Baroque or Classicism, or the nineteenth century novel.

The general literature program is overseen by a committee consisting of representatives from the division’s component departments. To be considered for admission into the general literature program, the student must submit a written statement to the committee no later than the end of the first semester of the junior year. The statement is to include an outline of the proposed course of study, a specific list of relevant courses, and a rationale designed to persuade the committee that the program makes sense in terms of coherent intellectual objectives, and that these objectives could not be attained through one of the other division programs.

In addition to the written junior qualifying examination, there is an oral examination.

Requirements for the Major

1. Standard divisional requirements in Literature and Languages.
2. At least six units of literature courses at the 300 or 400 level, of which four shall be within the student’s area of special interest.
3. General Literature 470 (thesis).

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