Comparative Literature

Requirements for the Major

  1. Introduction to Comparative Literature (Comparative Literature 201).
  2. The student must fulfill one of the following two programs of study:
    1. Eight literature courses in the Division of Literature and Languages at the 300 level or higher (although up to two 200-level English classes may count toward the eight); three of these literature courses must be at the 300 level or higher in a single language other than English.
    2. An interdisciplinary track that includes at least six literature courses in the Division of Literature and Languages (two of these literature courses must be at the 300 level or higher in a language other than English) and three or more courses in an allied field.
      1. Courses used to meet the literature requirement of the major may not also be part of the allied field.
      2. No more than one creative course in studio art, creative writing, theatre performance, or music performance may be included in the allied field. All allied fields must be approved by the student’s academic adviser and the chair of comparative literature. In developing an allied field, students should consider interdisciplinary programs in the course catalogue as a reference.
  3. Introduction to Literary Theory (Literature 400) or a similar theory course with broad coverage.
  4. The standard divisional requirement in the Division of Literature and Languages of one unit in the Division of the Arts. (The major requirements ensure that the divisional requirement of two units of literature will necessarily be fulfilled.)
  5. Junior qualifying examination.
  6. Comparative Literature 470 (thesis).

Recommended Coursework

Two semesters of a 200-level humanities course; second-year competence in a second foreign language.