The New Major in
Comparative Literature

 

See also: How to Declare a Major in Comparative Literature

See also: Do the new Major requirements apply to my degree?

See also: Undergraduate Comparative Literature Courses as of Fall '08

The Comparative Literature Major

Inherently interdisciplinary, comparative literature begins with the insistence that any artifact of culture—be it a canvas, a poem, a film, or a novel—requires active attention and engagement. At the same time, where the national literatures designate their subjects by language or nation, comparative literature allows a pluralistic approach that bridges linguistic and cultural boundaries. Closely allied with literary and critical theory as well as with contemporary trends in globalization studies and cultural studies, comparative literature nonetheless can be defined neither in terms of a specific methodology nor a specific canon of texts.

What defines comparative literature is its open-ended spirit of inquiry. Students of comparative literature create their subject matter by determining the meaning and method of their comparative approach.

Emphases within the Major

In COLT we recognize that there are many different ways of thinking about literature from a comparative perspective. Accordingly we offer two different emphases for the major.

One emphasis, LANGUAGE AND CULTURE, features comparative study across different national-linguistic traditions. This emphasis is recommended for students who wish to study abroad, attend graduate school in Comparative Literature, or who simply want to gain an in-depth understanding of one or more foreign cultures.

A second emphasis of study, DISCIPLINES IN DIALOGUE, allows students to combine literary study with work in a non-literary tradition. The Disciplines in Dialogue track offers an alternative for students considering a double major in literature and a non-literary field. It is also
well-suited to students who want to combine literary study with creative writing, performance or the visual arts.

The LANGUAGE AND CULTURE Emphasis

Language and Culture students designate two national-linguistic traditions: e.g. Spanish and German; English and Japanese; French and Russian. In addition, the language chosen to fulfill the Foreign Language requirement should coincide with one of these national-linguistic traditions.

The DISCIPLINES IN DIALOGUE Emphasis

Disciplines in Dialogue students designate one national-linguistic tradition and one other disciplinary focus (e.g. creative writing, philosophy, cinema studies, psychology, art history). Courses taken in this disciplinary focus may be spread out across several subject codes, with the approval of the Undergraduate Advisor. In addition, we strongly advise students to complete their Foreign Language Requirement (see below) in a language relevant either to their national-linguistic tradition or to their disciplinary focus.

Foreign Language Requirement

The comparative study of culture begins with the immersion in foreign languages. All COLT majors must complete at least one year of upper-division training in a language other than English.

For students working in French, German, Italian and/or Spanish, this third year will entail the study of literature. Appropriate courses include
FR 317/318/319, GER 340/341, as well as any 400-level literature course taught in the language in question, etc.

For students working in Chinese, Greek, Hebrew, Latin, Japanese, Russian and/or Swedish, the third year will most likely entail further training in grammar and oral production. Appropriate courses include CHN 301/302/303, HBRW 311/312/313, RUSS 316/317/318, etc.

With approval of the Undergraduate Advisor, courses taken abroad may be used to fulfill this requirement.

Course Requirements

15 courses (minimum of 53 credits)

In addition to completing their foreign language requirement (see above), all COLT majors take eight required courses in COLT, four upper-division courses in their primary national/linguistic tradition and three upper-division courses in their secondary focus field (either a second national/linguistic tradition or a non-literary discipline).

All coursework required for the Comparative Literature major and minor must be passed with grades of mid-C or better.

Required Courses in COLT

8 courses, minimum of 32 credits

• 2 lower-division electives in COLT: 8 credits
• 1 300-level elective in COLT: 4 credits
• 1 400-level elective in COLT: 4 credits
• COLT 301 (Approaches to Comparative Literature): 4 credits
• COLT 302, 303 or 304 (genre theory courses): 4 credits
• COLT 305 (Cultural Studies): 4 credits
• COLT 415 (Capstone Seminar): 4 credits

Course work in focus fields

7 courses, minimum of 21 credits

• 4 upper-division courses in primary
  national-linguistic tradition: 12 credits
• 3 upper-division either in secondary national-linguistic tradition (Language and Culture) or in non-literary discipline (Disciplines in Dialogue): 9 credits

Double Majors

Double majors should plan to complete all the requirements for both majors.