Comparative Literature

Extensive examination of the written word will demonstrate its crucial role in the historical, social, philosophical, and psychological processes that have come to shape contemporary society, as well as the capacity of language to inform reflection on human value and societal differences and to mobilize the creative imagination. As you explore the ins and outs of literature, from antiquity to present, you will navigate its historical and geographical contexts, analyze examples of literary production and their linguistic and cultural diversity, and study recent movements in literary and critical theory. We believe that a solid base of knowledge, critical practice, and strong linguistic endeavor are essential to professional life and creative production, as we encourage you to acquire abilities and knowledge in three different language areas.  

The educational goals for this major are as follows:

• Critical Reading: you will be able to explore, analyze, and reflect critically on major works of world literature, philosophy, and criticism across a wide range of genres and time periods.
• Writing: you will be able to express yourself creatively, clearly, coherently, and elegantly in order to produce effective writing in different genres.
• Comparison and Contextualization: you will be able to analyze your readings within their historical, geographical, and generic contexts to make enlightening connections with other works on the basis of responsible and informed awareness of cultural and linguistic diversity. You will be able to demonstrate knowledge of traditional and recent methods in literary scholarship.
• Languages and Linguistics: you will be able to read and write about works originally written in different languages.

You will be exposed to a flexible, interdisciplinary, student-centered curriculum through small, reading-and-writing-intensive seminars. You will also be encouraged to shape your thinking by exploring related work in other disciplines and to apply your critical thinking and analytic skills in a professional internship experience. Mentored by your Comparative Literature professors and your individual advisor, you will finish with a complete portfolio of your work, as well as a senior thesis in your final year.

With every single one of our majors, you’ll find a carefully curated medley of core courses and electives, which will provide you with the tools you need to establish an unshakeable foundation in the principles and concepts fundamental to your growth within your disciplines of choice. Many majors also enable you to specialize further within the broader area of study.

BROWSE ALL MAJORS AND REQUIREMENTS

Your introduction to the history of world literature and to the theoretical methods and key social and political questions that drive literary study will help pave the way for your successful completion of other Comparative Literature courses. Your exposure to the professional application of the skills learned in a literature major, and your organization of a portfolio of your work, will prepare you for your honors project and for a life after the degree.