Comparative Literature, Comparative Literature Track, B.A.

Lytton Smith, Coordinator (smithlj@geneseo.edu)

The flexibility to combine courses from several national literatures and to study literature along with other disciplines, and to consider the political stakes of national literatures and reading transnationally, is the hallmark of the Comparative Literature & Literary Translation major. The major offers two tracks: Comparative Literature and Literary Translation. In the former, a minimum of eight credits must come from literature courses in which texts are primarily read in a language other than English. In the latter, creative writing courses help students focus on the theory and practice of translating into English(es).

Program Learning Outcomes

Formal Understanding: Students will be able to combine close attention to textual practices with a global perspective on literature, using methods of studying texts across national and linguistic boundaries.
Historical Understanding: Students will be able to identify and articulate how texts are related to social and cultural categories (e.g., race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, class, ability) as well as ideologies and belief systems (e.g. philosophy, science, politics, religion, education).
Interpretation: Students will be able to interpret literary works in conversation with a range of critical and theoretical frameworks and to identify and articulate the ways difference, power, and inequality shape the production and reception of literature.
Argumentation: Students will be able to “join the conversation” that is always ongoing among critics and scholars regarding texts, authors, contexts, and paratexts, developing analytical arguments in accordance with developing conventions of comparative criticism; they will also be able to provide and to receive feedback from peers.
Craft: students in the Literary Translation track will be able to, through a research process that includes engaging, interpreting, and responding to model texts, create an original work that thoughtfully transmits both textual and cultural features of a work in a language other than English.

General Education Requirements (30-40 Credits)

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

Total Credits Required to Complete Major: 41-44

Basic Requirements: (16 Credits)

CMLT 200 - Reading Transnationally: (subtitle) Credit(s): 4
ENGL 309 - Literary Translating Workshop Credit(s): 4
CMLT 499 - Directed Study OR other Thesis/Capstone (with approval) Credit(s): 4
One preparatory course in Language & Literature from this list Credit(s): 4
FREN 213 - Intermediate Grammar, Culture, and Communication Credit(s): 4
FREN 301 - Written Expression Credit(s): 4
GERM 213 - Intermediate Grammar, Culture, and Communication Credit(s): 4
GERM 301 - Written Expression in German Credit(s): 4
LATN 213 - Intensive Latin Grammar, Culture and Communication Credit(s): 4
SPAN 213 - Intermediate Grammar, Culture and Communication Credit(s): 4
SPAN 301 - Oral and Written Communication Credit(s): 4
Or another world language course as approved by the Program Coordinator

Four upper-level literature courses, at least two in a language other than English, and at least one focusing on the role of genre (chosen under advisement) (16 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 336 - Native American Literature Credit(s): 4
ENGL 340 - Literature and Literary Study in the Digital Age Credit(s): 4
ENGL 360 - 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 403 - Poetry: (subtitle) Credit(s): 4
ENGL 410 - Topics in Theory: (subtitle) Credit(s): 4
ENGL 419 - Literary Theory Credit(s): 4
ENGL 424 - The Novel: (subtitle) Credit(s): 4
ENGL 427 - Literary Representations of Disability Credit(s): 4
ENGL 466 - Topics in Early Literature: (subtitle) Credit(s): 4
ENGL 467 - Topics in Modern Literature: (subtitle) Credit(s): 4
ENGL 468 - Topics in Recent Literature: (subtitle) Credit(s): 4
FMST 100 - Introduction to Film Studies Credit(s): 4
FMST 369 - Connections in Film: (subtitle) Credit(s): 4
FMST 409 - Film Theory and Criticism Credit(s): 4
FMST 459 - Film Authors: (subtitle) Credit(s): 4
FREN 450 - Medieval and Renaissance French Literature Credit(s): 4
FREN 455 - French Literature Classical Period and Enlightenment Credit(s): 4
FREN 460 - French Literature from Romanticism to the Present Credit(s): 4
FREN 474 - Francophone Literature, Africa and the Caribbean Credit(s): 4
FREN 475 - French-Canadian Literature Credit(s): 4
FREN 313 - Contemporary French Civilization Credit(s): 4
FREN 314 - Contemporary Francophone Civilizations Credit(s): 4
FREN 317 - Phonology Credit(s): 4
FREN 325 - French Civilization Credit(s): 4
FREN 326 - Early Non-European Francophone Civilizations Credit(s): 4
FREN 335 - French for the Professions: (subtitle) Credit(s): 4
FREN 416 - Advanced Grammar and Syntax Credit(s): 4
FREN 423 - Selected Topics in Linguistics - Sociolinguistics Credit(s): 4
FREN 302 - Introduction to Literature Credit(s): 4
FREN 312 - Modernity in West Africa Credit(s): 4
GERM 302 - Introduction to Literature Credit(s): 4
GERM 382 - Selected Topics in German Literatures and Cultures: (subtitle) Credit(s): 4
SPAN 302 - Transatlantic Hispanic Cultures and Readings: (subtitle) Credit(s): 4
SPAN 308 - Communication and Culture in Spain (Study Abroad) Credit(s): 4
SPAN 309 - Language Field School in Afro-Hispanic Societies (Study Abroad) Credit(s): 4
SPAN 316 - Applied Grammar: (subtitle) Credit(s): 4
SPAN 323 - Introduction to Linguistics Credit(s): 4
SPAN 335 - Spanish for the Professions: (subtitle) Credit(s): 4
SPAN 424 - Seminar in Spanish Linguistics: (subtitle) Credit(s): 4
SPAN 472 - Peninsular Literature: (subtitle) Credit(s): 4
SPAN 473 - Latin American Literature: (subtitle) Credit(s): 4
SPAN 482 - Hispanic Studies Seminar: (subtitle) Credit(s): 4

Two courses in cross-linguistic theory and practice (6-8 credits)

ANTH 120 - Language and Culture Credit(s): 3
ANTH 229 - Ethnography and Film Credit(s): 3
ANTH 231 - Language and Gender Credit(s): 3
ANTH 305 - Linguistic Methods Credit(s): 3
ANTH 311 - Language of Healing Credit(s): 3
ANTH 314 - Topics in Linguistics: (subtitle) Credit(s): 3
ANTH 328 - Language Socialization Credit(s): 3
AMST 201 - Topics in American Studies: (subtitle) Credit(s): 4
COMN 317 - Culture and Communication Credit(s): 4
EDUC 277 - Methods of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages Credit(s): 4
ENGL 361 - History of the English Language Credit(s): 4
PHIL 375 - Philosophy of Language Credit(s): 3
PSYC 315 - Psychology of Language Credit(s): 3
SPAN 401 - Advanced Oral and Written Communication Credit(s): 4

One course in global politics and culture (3-4 credits)

ANTH 215 - Ancient Civilizations of the Old World Credit(s): 3
ANTH 226 - Anthropology of Latin America and the Caribbean Credit(s): 3
ANTH 235 - Ancient Civilizations of Mesoamerica and the Andes Credit(s): 3
ANTH 238 - Ethnomedicine in Latin America and the Caribbean Credit(s): 3
ANTH 301 - Religion, Society, and Culture Credit(s): 3
ANTH 307 - Anthropology of Development Credit(s): 3
ANTH 313 - Global Health Issues Credit(s): 3
ANTH 319 - Cross-Cultural Politics of Reproduction Credit(s): 3
ANTH 328 - Language Socialization Credit(s): 3
ARTH 205 - Museum Studies - Art and Global Politics Credit(s): 4
ARTH 281 - Pre-Columbian and Latin American Art Credit(s): 3
ARTH 402 - Latin American Art From Late Colonial to Contemporary Credit(s): 4
BIOL 318 - Health and Developing World Credit(s): 3
BLKS 225 - Black Cinema Credit(s): 4
COMN 342 - Mass Media and Society Credit(s): 4
COMN 359 - Political Rhetoric Credit(s): 4
COMN 476 - Social Change, Development & Activism Credit(s): 4
DANC 221 - Global Dance History Credit(s): 3
ENGL 113 - Contemporary Global Challenges in Literature and Culture: (subtitle) Credit(s): 4
ENGL 207 - Creative Writing Approaches to Contemporary Global Challenges: (subtitle) Credit(s): 4
ENGL 308 - Modernity in West Africa Credit(s): 4
EURO 215 - Central European Cultural History Credit(s): 4
FREN 312 - Modernity in West Africa Credit(s): 4
GEOG 263 - Geography of Sub-Saharan Africa Credit(s): 3
GEOG 363 - Geography of Sub-Saharan Africa Credit(s): 3
GEOG 376 - Political Geography Credit(s): 3
HIST 112 - History Matters: (subtitle) Credit(s): 4
HIST 232 - Early Modern Europe and the World, 1450-1750 Credit(s): 4
HIST 270 - History of Latin America to 1825 Credit(s): 4
HIST 272 - Pacific Worlds, 1500 to Present Credit(s): 4
HIST 275 - Global History of Sexual Science Credit(s): 4
HIST 282 - History of Modern East Asia Credit(s): 4
HIST 284 - Studies in Global History: (subtitle) Credit(s): 4
HIST 287 - Modern Africa Credit(s): 4
HIST 453 - Nationalism and Ethnic Violence Credit(s): 4
HIST 485 - African Environmental History Credit(s): 4
HUMN 222 - Black Humanities Credit(s): 4
INTD 117 - Contemporary Global Challenges: (subtitle) Credit(s): 3
INTD 354 - Medieval Studies: (subtitle) Credit(s): 3
INTD 356 - The Age of Dante Credit(s): 3
MUSC 337 - Music, Race, and Ethnicity: (subtitle) Credit(s): 3
PASC 105 - Performance as Social Change I Credit(s): 4
PASC 106 - Introduction to Performance as Social Change I Credit(s): 1
PLSC 120 - Comparative Politics Credit(s): 3
PLSC 140 - International Politics Credit(s): 3
PLSC 344 - Climate Change Leadership and Politics Credit(s): 3
PLSC 352 - Civil War and Conflict Resolution Credit(s): 3
PLSC 355 - Politics of East Asia Credit(s): 3
PLSC 356 - Politics of South Asia Credit(s): 3
PLSC 358 - Politics of Eastern Europe Credit(s): 3
PLSC 359 - Politics of Western Europe Credit(s): 3
PLSC 360 - Developing World Politics Credit(s): 3
PLSC 361 - Women and Politics Credit(s): 3
PLSC 362 - Government and Politics in Africa Credit(s): 3
PLSC 370 - Political Parties and Interest Groups Credit(s): 3
PLSC 372 - Community, State, and Regional Politics Credit(s): 3
PLSC 375 - Politics of Judicial Process Credit(s): 3
PLSC 380 - Asia in the Global Setting Credit(s): 3
PLSC 381 - Politics of Genocide Credit(s): 3
PLSC 391 - Enduring Issues in Comparative and International Politics: (subtitle) Credit(s): 3
PLSC 416 - Political Power in American Cities Credit(s): 3
PLSC 417 - Identity & Politics in the United States Credit(s): 3
PLSC 421 - State and Society in the Nonwestern World Credit(s): 3
PLSC 425 - Politics of Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean Credit(s): 3
PLSC 426 - Government and Politics of South America Credit(s): 3
PLSC 428 - Middle East Politics Credit(s): 3
PLSC 429 - Politics of Russia and Eurasia Credit(s): 3
PLSC 440 - International Law Credit(s): 3
PLSC 441 - Democracy and International Relations Credit(s): 3
PLSC 442 - Human Rights in a Global Perspective Credit(s): 3
PLSC 448 - Politics of International Economic Relations Credit(s): 3
PLSC 454 - Government and Politics of Latin America Credit(s): 3
PLSC 492 - Theories of Comparative Politics Credit(s): 3
PLSC 494 - Theories of International Relations Credit(s): 3
PLSC 496 - Global Issues Credit(s): 3
SOCL 105 - Introduction to Global Social Change Credit(s): 3
SOCL 325 - Global Social Change Credit(s): 3
WGST 204 - Global Issues of Sex and Gender: (subtitle) Credit(s): 3
WGST 340 - Gender and Global Education Credit(s): 3

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

Upper-division courses in Comparative Literature emphasize the skills of effective writing and academic conversation. Completion of at least 16 Credits at the 300-level or above fulfills the department writing requirement.

Sample Course Map

For students who matriculated prior to Fall 2022: please select the bulletin year in which you entered the college (matriculated) at the top right of this page.

Curriculum Map

First Year
- Fall - 16 Credit Hours
  - WRTG 105 - Writing Seminar: (subtitle) Credit(s): 4
  - CMLT 200 - Reading Transnationally: (subtitle) Credit(s): 4
  - Math/Quantitative - Credit(s): 4
  - World Language 101 - Credit(s): 4
- Spring - 14 Credit Hours
  - Scientific Reasoning - Credit(s): 4
  - World Language 102 - Credit(s): 4
  - Global Society #1 DPP - Credit(s): 3
  - Global Society #2 CGC - Credit(s): 3
Second Year
- Fall - 14 Credit Hours
  - Preparatory Course in Languages & Literatures - Credit(s): 4
  - Upper Level Literature Course - Credit(s): 4
  - Global Society #3 WCV - Credit(s): 3
  - Global Society #4 SST - Credit(s): 3
- Spring - 15 Credit Hours
  - World Language 301 - Credit(s): 3-4
  - Upper Level Literature Course (Genre) - Credit(s): 4
  - ENGL 309: Translation Workshop - Credit(s): 4
  - Global Society #5 CAI - Credit(s): 4
Third Year
- Fall - 16 Credit Hours
  - Cross-Linguistic #1 - Credit(s): 3-4
  - Upper Level Literature Course - Credit(s): 4
  - Course in Global Politics & Culture - Credit(s): 3-4
  - Elective - Credit(s): 4
- Spring - 15 Credit Hours
  - Elective - Credit(s): 4
  - Cross-Linguistic Course #2 - Credit(s): 3-4
  - Elective - Credit(s): 4
  - Elective - Credit(s): 3
Fourth Year
- Fall - 15 Credit Hours
  - CMLT 499 - Credit(s): 4
  - Upper Level Literature Course - Credit(s): 4
  - IAL - Credit(s): 4
  - Elective- Credit(s): 3
- Spring - 15 Credit Hours
  - Elective - Credit(s): 4
  - Elective - Credit(s): 4
  - Elective - Credit(s): 4
  - Elective - Credit(s): 3

Total Credit Hours: 120

Note: Variation in the order of courses is possible, depending upon prerequisites. Consult course information in the bulletin or your academic advisor to customize your eight semester plan.

KEY - Participation in a Global Society (PGS)

Attributes:

Sub Areas

Abbreviation	Definition
DPP	Diversity, Pluralism, Power
WCV	World Cultures & Values
CGC	Contemporary Global Challenges
CAI	Creativity & Innovation
SST	Sustainability

Learning Areas

Abbreviation	Definition
ARTS	Arts
HUMA	Humanities
SOSC	Social Science