Comparative Literature, B.A.

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The flexibility to combine courses from several national literatures and to study literature along with other disciplines is the hallmark of the Comparative Literature major.

Students may also count courses which read literature in translation; however, a minimum of eight credits must come from upper-level (300 or 400 level) literature courses in a language other than English.

Program Learning Outcomes

Students will demonstrate:

1. The ability to write analytically about texts in accordance with the conventions of comparative criticism
2. The ability to develop clear and effective arguments about literature following the conventions of standard English
3. The ability to evaluate the nature, function and value of literature from a global perspective
4. The ability to read texts closely to demonstrate familiarity with a variety of world literatures as well as methods of studying genres and literatures across national and linguistic boundaries
5. The ability to read texts in relation to history and culture
6. An understanding of how texts are related to social and cultural categories (e.g., race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, class, ability), ideologies and belief systems (e.g. philosophy, science, politics, religion, education)
7. The ability to “join the conversation” that is always ongoing among critics and scholars regarding texts, authors, contexts, and topics by engaging with secondary sources
8. An in-depth understanding of a single author, a small group of authors, or a narrowly-defined topic, theme, period, or issue

General Education Requirements (30-46 Credits)

Prerequisite coursework may be required to satisfy certain General Education courses and will count as elective credit.

Total Credits Required to Complete Major: 38-46

Basic Requirements: (8 Credits)

CMLT 200 - Reading Transnationally: (subtitle) Credit(s): 4
CMLT 499 - Directed Study Credit(s): 1-4 (Credits: 4)

Other requirements by category: (18-22 Credits)

One course with an emphasis on genre from (3-4 Credits)

ENGL 385 - Contemporary Drama Credit(s): 4
ENGL 386 - Western Drama 1870-1945 Credit(s): 4
ENGL 403 - Poetry: (subtitle) Credit(s): 4
ENGL 424 - The Novel: (subtitle) Credit(s): 4
ENGL 486 - Drama: (subtitle) Credit(s): 4
FMST 100 - F/Introduction to Film Studies Credit(s): 4
FMST 369 - Connections in Film: (subtitle) Credit(s): 4
FMST 459 - Film Authors: (subtitle) Credit(s): 4
or
Other course approved by program director

One course with an emphasis on theory from (3-4 Credits)

ENGL 410 - Topics in Theory: (subtitle) Credit(s): 4
ENGL 419 - Literary Theory Credit(s): 4
FMST 409 - Film Theory and Criticism Credit(s): 4
PHIL 330 - Ethical Theory Credit(s): 3
PHIL 340 - Theory of Knowledge Credit(s): 3
PHIL 375 - Philosophy of Language Credit(s): 3
HIST 301 - Interpretations in History: (subtitle) Credit(s): 4
or
Other course approved by program director

Two upper level (300- or 400- level) literature courses in a foreign language from (6 Credits)

FREN 302 - Introduction to Literature Credit(s): 3
FREN 450 - Medieval and Renaissance French Literature Credit(s): 3
FREN 455 - French Literature Classical Period and Enlightenment Credit(s): 3
FREN 460 - French Literature from Romanticism to the Present Credit(s): 3
FREN 474 - Francophone Literature, Africa and the Caribbean Credit(s): 3
FREN 475 - French-Canadian Literature Credit(s): 3
GERM 302 - Readings in German Credit(s): 3
GERM 382 - Selected Topics in German Literatures and Cultures: (subtitle) Credit(s): 3
LATN 301 - Readings in Latin: (Advanced Latin Authors) Credit(s): 3
LATN 302 - Readings in Latin: (Advanced Latin Authors) Credit(s): 3
SPAN 302 - Introduction to Hispanic Literatures Credit(s): 3
SPAN 303 - Survey of Spanish Literature I Credit(s): 3
SPAN 304 - Survey of Spanish Literature II Credit(s): 3
SPAN 305 - Survey of Latin American Literature I Credit(s): 3
SPAN 306 - Survey of Latin American Literature II Credit(s): 3
SPAN 450 - Medieval Spanish Literature Credit(s): 3
SPAN 452 - Early Modern Spanish Literature Credit(s): 3
SPAN 453 - Early Latin American Literature Credit(s): 3
SPAN 462 - 18th and 19th Century Spanish Literature Credit(s): 3
SPAN 463 - 19th Century Latin American Literature Credit(s): 3
SPAN 472 - Contemporary Spanish Literature Credit(s): 3
SPAN 473 - Contemporary Latin American Literature Credit(s): 3
SPAN 482 - Selected Topics in Hispanic Literatures and Cultures: (subtitle) Credit(s): 3
or
Other course approved by program director

Two courses in period studies from (6-8 Credits)

ENGL 310 - Medieval Literature Credit(s): 4
ENGL 318 - Black British Literature and Culture Credit(s): 4
ENGL 322 - Contemporary British Literature in London: (subtitle) Credit(s): 4
ENGL 340 - Literature and Literary Study in the Digital Age Credit(s): 4
ENGL 360 - M/Post-Colonial Literature: (subtitle) Credit(s): 4
ENGL 366 - Connections in Early Literature: (subtitle) Credit(s): 4
ENGL 367 - Connections in Modern Literature: (subtitle) Credit(s): 4
ENGL 368 - Connections in Recent Literature: (subtitle) Credit(s): 4
ENGL 385 - Contemporary Drama Credit(s): 4
ENGL 386 - Western Drama 1870-1945 Credit(s): 4
FREN 450 - Medieval and Renaissance French Literature Credit(s): 3
FREN 455 - French Literature Classical Period and Enlightenment Credit(s): 3
FREN 460 - French Literature from Romanticism to the Present Credit(s): 3
LATN 301 - Readings in Latin: (Advanced Latin Authors) Credit(s): 3
LATN 302 - Readings in Latin: (Advanced Latin Authors) Credit(s): 3
SPAN 303 - Survey of Spanish Literature I Credit(s): 3
SPAN 304 - Survey of Spanish Literature II Credit(s): 3
SPAN 450 - Medieval Spanish Literature Credit(s): 3
SPAN 452 - Early Modern Spanish Literature Credit(s): 3
SPAN 453 - Early Latin American Literature Credit(s): 3
SPAN 462 - 18th and 19th Century Spanish Literature Credit(s): 3
SPAN 463 - 19th Century Latin American Literature Credit(s): 3
SPAN 472 - Contemporary Spanish Literature Credit(s): 3
SPAN 473 - Contemporary Latin American Literature Credit(s): 3
or
Other course approved by program director

Electives: (12-16 Credits)

Four additional courses (ENGL, Languages and Literatures, and fields of interdisciplinary relevance to the student’s interest, chosen in consultation with the program coordinator)

Minimum Competence Requirement

A grade of C- or better is required in all courses submitted in fulfillment of the Comparative Literature major.

Department Writing Requirement

All courses in Comparative Literature emphasize the skills of effective writing. In addition, successfully completion of a Senior Thesis satisfies the Department Writing Requirement.