The Courses

Core Courses in Comparative Literature fall under one of four different rubrics, which describe the type of material covered in the course, as well as the approach used to analyze and discuss this material. The four types of core courses are:

Literary Genres: Courses described as "Literary Genres" focus on a single type of literature, such as prose, poetry, film, drama, tragedy, or mystery. These courses examine the ways in which different times and places have adapted a given genre to their needs, as well as how comparing works within a given genre from different cultures enriches our understanding of both the individual works and the genre as a whole.

Core course in Literary Genres include:

Literary Movements: Courses described as "Literary Movements" focus on a single period or school of literature, such as Romanticism, Modernism, or Postmodernism. These courses examine the emergence, development, and dissemination of the philosophical tenets and literary techniques associated with a given literary movement, and they try to demonstrate the impact of a literary movement on the literature and thought of the present day.

Core courses in Literary Movements include:

Literature and Theory: Courses described as "Literature and Theory" focus on the theory that has emerged out of the reading and analysis of literature. These courses often examine a discreet movement within literary theory, such as psychoanalysis or modern critical theory. By investigating the relationship between specific literary works and theoretical paradigms that explain the significance and meaning of these works, students develop new ways of understanding literature and its relationship to life.

Core courses in Literary Theory include:

Cultural Studies: Courses described as "Cultural Studies" examine literature in its social context. In order to do this, these courses focus on a single theme or idea that has traveled across national, cultural, and linguistic boundaries, such as adultery, Arthurian romance, or travel. By comparing and contrasting the manner in which different times and places treat a given theme, students learn to appreciate the broader elements that connect different works of literature, while respecting the cultural specificity of each work.

Core course in Cultural Studies include:

The Program in Comparative Literature also cross-lists many courses from other departments, such as Asian Studies, Classics, English, German and Russian, Romance Languages, and Theatre. These cross-listed courses study literature in English translation, literary theory, or literary comparison. These courses include: