The Comparative Literature major provides an engagement with two or more literary and cultural traditions, studied in their original languages. Comparative literature is an interdisciplinary field whose practitioners study literature and culture across national borders, across time periods, across languages, across genres, across boundaries between literature and the other arts (fine and applied arts, music, painting, dance, film, etc.), and across disciplines (philosophy, science, medicine, law, history, architecture, sociology, politics, and the like). Study Abroad and work in several languages and cultures and across disciplines is strongly encouraged.
A student who elects Comparative Literature as a major, in addition to their language work, must complete 33 hours, including at least 9 hours in courses numbered 200 or above (and at least two courses at the 300-400 level). Besides knowing English, the student who chooses the Comparative Literature concentration must have sufficient linguistic skill in at least one foreign language to participate in 200- to 400-level literature courses offered by the various foreign language and literature departments.
VIEW THE REQUIREMENTS FOR MAJORING IN COMPARATIVE LITERATURE