Comparative Literature

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Professor Simon Gikandi, Director

May be elected as an interdepartmental concentration program

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Professors

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Associate Professors

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Assistant Professors

Undergraduate concentrators will establish individualized programs of study in close consultation with a faculty advisor. These programs will offer students the opportunity to increase skills in analytical reading and argumentative writing and to develop an understanding of the interrelationships among several literary traditions. Students who concentrate in comparative literature will acquire training in one or more second languages, study at least two literatures (one of which may be English) in the original languages, and acquaint themselves with some of the essential writings in the theory of literature. Students who choose to write a senior thesis will find it an opportunity for synthesis of earlier course work and further intellectual exploration.

The concentration in Comparative Literature provides excellent preparation for professional studies in fields such as law, journalism, and business, as well as preparation for graduate work in the humanities.

Prerequisites to Concentration. Foreign languages necessary for the study of foreign literature courses at the 300-level.

Concentration Program. 33 credits minimum, according to the following plan:

1. Comparative Literature 240 and 241. (6 credits)

2. A complementary grouping of literature courses at the 300-level or above in a minimum of two languages, one of which may be English. At least 12 credits each, with the necessary foreign languages as prerequisites. Twelve of these credits may be undergraduate courses in Comparative Literature. The courses will be chosen in consultation with the undergraduate advisor in Comparative Literature. (24 credits)

3. The senior seminar, Comparative Literature 495, and, for Honors concentrators, an Honors thesis during the last term. (3-6 credits)

Honors Concentration. To be eligible for an Honors concentration in Comparative Literature, students should have a cumulative grade point average of at least a 3.0 and a 3.5 grade point average in courses counting toward the concentration. Students who elect an Honors degree will write an Honors thesis during the final year of their course work.

Advising. Prospective concentrators should consult the Comparative Literature concentration advisor as early as possible about developing a challenging and unified interdepartmental program of study.