Comparative Literature is a dynamic field of study whose own self-definition is constantly shifting. Once mostly limited to the study of western European literature and its Greco-Roman classical past, today Comparative Literature has become a global and interdisciplinary study both of literature (in original languages as well as in translation) and of other art forms (including film, television, performing arts, digital media, and visual arts). Today Comparative Literature is broadly defined as the study of literature and culture across national boundaries and throughout historical time.
The major and the minor in Comparative Literature allow students to combine courses in Comparative Literature with disciplinary perspectives and knowledge from a wide variety of other departments. All undergraduate Comparative Literature courses, both lower-division and upper-division, are taught in English and encourage students to take a broad view of a historical period, a theme, a genre, or a literary movement.
Majors typically begin their study of Comparative Literature with courses chosen from our introductory course sequence (COM 1, 2, 3, and 4). This sequence provides both a global overview of ancient to contemporary literature and offers intensive practice in analytical thinking and argumentative writing. In addition, any one of the courses in the sequence satisfies the university lower-division composition requirement.
After completing courses chosen from the introductory sequence, major and minor coursework is divided between Comparative Literature courses taught in English and courses chosen by the student to focus on a specific interest, historical period, region, theme, genre, or literary movement. Comparative Literature students can make highly individualized course choices from such areas as literature (in original languages, in English, and in translation); history; philosophy; anthropology; psychology; critical theory; ethnic studies; gender studies; and more. The wide variety of options in the program permits great flexibility and encourages interdisciplinary connections among literature and philosophy, psychology, history, and the arts. Each student's plan of study must be approved by an advisor at the beginning and end of each calendar year.
One of the benefits of pursuing a major in Comparative Literature is that students are encouraged to study abroad, whether for a short summer program, for a quarter, or for the junior year abroad. Another benefit is that the Comparative Literature major and minor can be combined relatively easily with other majors so that students can gain a robust and diverse set of skills, knowledge, and background in their undergraduate studies.
Studying Comparative Literature can satisfy intellectual and artistic curiosity while preparing majors for successful professional careers in many different fields. As many of our alumni can testify, a Comparative Literature major offers excellent pre-professional training, developing communication and analytic skills that prepare our majors for successful careers in such fields as journalism, publishing and teaching, as well as for graduate study in literature, law and business—and even science and medicine.