The Major in Comparative Literature

Introduction || The Major Tracks || Definitions and Stipulations || Honors

Introduction

Comparative Literature is an interdisciplinary study of literary texts, theories and traditions. Courses in Comparative Literature examine works from many national traditions, and also study the relations between literature and the other arts, including film and music. The Comparative perspective includes insights from philosophy, history, linguistics, anthropology, psychology, media studies, and the social and natural sciences as well as the arts.

Three tracks lead to the B.A. Degree in Comparative Literature. All three emphasize critical analysis of texts in several languages, one of which may be English. The first track requires work in two languages, while the more advanced second track allows the student to work in three languages. The third track allows the exploration of the relationship of literature to an extraliterary discipline such as film, religion, sociology or health science. Because of the individual nature of each student's program of study in Comparative Literature, students are expected to work closely with their advisors to ensure a coherent pattern of coursework.

The Major Tracks

I. General Language-Literature

• 15 upper-level credits in Comparative Literature
• 12 upper-level credits in the major literature
• 12 upper-level credits in the minor literature

II. Advanced Language-Literature with Work in a Third Language

Either:

• 15 upper-level credits in Comparative Literature
• 12 upper-level credits in the major literature
• 9 upper-level credits in the minor literature.
• 6 credits of elementary work in a third language, preferably ancient.

Or:

• 15 upper level credits in Comparative Literature
• 12 upper-level credits in the major literature
• 6 upper-level credits in the minor literature
• 6 upper-level credits in a third literature

III. Literature and a Related Discipline

• 15 upper-level credits in Comparative Literature
• 12 upper-level credits in the major literature
• 6 upper-level credits in the minor literature
• 12 upper-level credits in the department of the related discipline

For a full description of film study as a related discipline, see Film Analysis.

Definitions and Stipulations

I. Related Departments

1. National Literature Departments (English, French, German, Spanish, etc.):
   Only upper-level courses in literature (not literature in translation, film in translation, culture, advanced grammar, or conversation) may be counted for the major. To define “upper-level,” Comparative Literature recognizes each Department’s definition as applied to its own major. Usually, courses numbered 240 or higher (200 for English) will count towards the major. Each student, however, should consult with an advisor as soon as any related questions arise.
2. Other Departments in the Humanities or Social or Natural Sciences:
   For those students who opt for the program in literature and a related discipline, credit towards the Comparative Literature major is usually granted only to those courses which count towards the major in the related discipline.
3. Creative Writing:
   One course (3 credits) may be counted upon written petition to the Undergraduate Studies Committee in Comparative Literature.

II. Comparative Literature

1. Courses at or above the 300 level will count towards the major. In addition, one 200-level Comparative Literature course may be counted; the student must make arrangements beforehand to do reading in one or more languages other than English.
2. The 4-credit course “The History of Literary Criticism” (ComLit 391H) is required of all majors.
3. A Senior Seminar in Literary Theory is required of all majors. Students should consult with an advisor before their senior year to learn which course(s) will fulfill this requirement in the appropriate year. Students selecting Track III may use the term paper to focus on the connection between literature and their related discipline.
4. Students may count a maximum of two film courses for the Comparative Literature segment of the major, one of which must be 400-level or above.
5. Students are urged to take one non-Western humanities course, or one in Afro-American Studies.
6. No more than 6 credits of Independent Study courses may be counted towards the major.
7. The Junior Year Writing requirement is fulfilled by a semester long junior year writing course offered normally in the Fall semester.

III. Q.P.A.

1. A minimum Q.P.A. of 2.5 is required in all courses counting towards the major.
2. No courses counting toward the major may be taken pass/fail.
3. No courses graded lower than “C” may be counted toward the major.

IV. Honors

Comparative Literature is pleased to have several Commonwealth Scholars among our majors. See the Honors page, and contact your advisor or the Department Honors Coordinator for information.