Requirements

Comparative Literature

320 Milbank Hall
854-8312

Requirements for the Major

To enter the program a student must normally have completed the required sequence necessary for entry into the advance literature courses of her major program. This varies from language to language; students should consult with the chair of the relevant department and with the program director. Each student, after consultation with the director, chooses an adviser from one of her two fields of concentration in a language. This adviser guides her in developing a sequence of courses appropriate for her goals in the major. All students are required to take Comparative Literature BC 3001 and 14 courses normally to be chosen from the following categories:

One course in appropriate classical texts chosen from The Classical Tradition (CLLT W 4300), Introduction to the Hebrew Bible (RELI V 3501), and Introduction to the New Testament (RELI V 3120), for those specializing in languages and literature in the Western tradition; Asian Humanities (AHUM V 3399 or V 3400), for those specializing in languages and literatures in Eastern traditions; or other courses with approval of the chair.

One course in literary theory. Students will normally be expected to satisfy this requirement by taking The Colloquium in Literary Theory CPLS V 3950. If study abroad plans make this impossible, other courses may be substituted such as ENGL BC 3194, FREN BC 3063 (x or y), CLEN W 4902.

Three courses from each of two literary traditions studied in the original languages. Foreign literature courses must be beyond the introductory level.

Five elective courses in comparative literature or literary theory (studied in the original or in translation) related to the student's individual program. These courses must be comparative or theoretical in nature; consultation with the director advised.

One course, CPLS BC 3997 or an appropriate senior seminar or a tutorial, for the writing of a senior thesis.

The Senior Thesis must deal with material from at least the two central literatures in the student's major. In addition this thesis must treat, entirely or in part, the one period, genre, theme, or theoretical issue that has shaped the student's program. The choice of topic for this senior essay and the appointment of a second adviser are determined in consultation with the area adviser and the director of the program. A detailed memorandum on planning the major is available from the advisor and on the Comparative Literature website.

Students who wish to major in Comparative Literature, but who for valid reasons wish to pursue a program at variance with the above model, should consult the director.