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The Program in Comparative Literature supports two distinct majors in Comparative Literature and Literary Studies. The major in Comparative Literature requires advanced work in at least one language other than English and is strongly recommended for students interested in graduate study in Comparative Literature. Students may pursue honors within both majors by writing a thesis during the senior year. Both majors provide a strong basis for any career demanding analytical, interpretive, and evaluative skills and allow the student, within a framework of general requirements, to create a program of study primarily shaped by the student's own interests.

Comparative Literature

The Comparative Literature major combines a focused study of a single national-language literature with a wide-ranging exploration of literary forms across national, linguistic, and historical boundaries. Each student declaring the major must select a single foreign language as his or her specialty, although the serious study of literature in foreign languages other than the student's specialty is strongly encouraged. The languages currently available are French, German, Ancient Greek, Latin, Russian, and Spanish. Each student will also be paired with a faculty advisor with whom the student will meet each semester to discuss how best to fulfill the requirements for the major.

Eleven courses are required for the major:

Any three of the following core courses:

Three literature courses in the student's specialty language, in which texts are read in the original. At least one of the three must be above the 200-level.

Three courses in which most of the course work concerns literature other than that of the student's specialty language or literary theory. These courses may be selected from Comparative Literature offerings or from other departments and must be approved by the student's major advisor. Only one may be in English or American literature. Among the offerings of other departments that are possible, the following employ readings in English translation and are especially appropriate to the major:

Students who are considering a major in Comparative Literature should aim to acquire intermediate-level proficiency in their specialty language by the end of the sophomore year. They should also complete core course requirements by the end of their junior year. Students pursuing the Comparative Literature major are strongly encouraged to study abroad during their junior year and may receive major credit for up to 4 courses taken during study abroad. At least three courses towards the major must be at the 300 level or above. Students are expected to take the version of 402 offered in their senior year, even if they have previously taken 402.

Literary Studies

The Literary Studies major allows for a wide-ranging exploration of literary forms across national, linguistic, and historical boundaries. Unlike the major in Comparative Literature, the Literary Studies major does not require the student to choose a specialty language, although the serious study of literature in one or more foreign languages is strongly encouraged. Each student will be paired with a faculty advisor, with whom the student will meet each semester to discuss how best to fulfill the requirements for the major.

Eleven courses are required for the major:

Any four of the following core courses:

Five courses devoted to literature or literary theory that cover at least three different national/cultural traditions. The courses may be selected from Comparative Literature offerings or from other departments and must be approved by the student's major advisor. Of the courses taken outside of the Program in Comparative Literature, no more than two may have the same course prefix. Students are strongly encouraged to include courses in a foreign language among these five. Among the offerings of other departments that are possible, the following employ readings in English translation and are especially appropriate to the major:

Students who are considering a major in Literary Studies should aim to complete core course requirements by the end of their sophomore year. Students who choose to study abroad during their junior year may receive major credit for up to 4 courses taken during study abroad. At least three courses towards the major must be at the 300 level or above. Students are expected to take the version of 402 offered in their senior year, even if they have previously taken 402.

The Degree with Honors in Comparative Literature or Literary Studies

To achieve honors in Comparative Literature or Literary Studies, a student must prepare a thesis, usually 50-75 pages long, during the senior year (COMP 493-W031-494). The topic of the thesis must be comparative and/or theoretical in approach. Those majoring in Comparative Literature must include a significant amount of material in the literature of the student's specialty language. Students must apply to the Program's advisory committee for permission to pursue an honors thesis before the beginning of the senior year.

Class of 2003

Class of 2002

Class of 2001