Department of Comparative Literature

The discipline of comparative literature was originally based in the study of literary works across linguistic, national, and historical boundaries with the goal of taking up a comparative perspective on different literary traditions. This makes it an excellent choice for students with proficiency in one or more languages who wish to expand and hone their knowledge of literature in culture context. Over time the field has broadened to encompass the study of literary theory and cultural criticism globally and to incorporate the comparison of literature with other arts and media, including film, visual art, digital and new media, and performance. Comparative literature is a great field for students with interdisciplinary interests and/or with a focus on innovative, experimental, and radical cultural critique. It is also an excellent choice for students who wish to supplement or enhance work in history, anthropology, media studies, and/or gender and race studies (among many other fields).

Students in comparative literature are trained to ask broader and better questions about the many forms of cultural production surrounding them. And they know they have to look at cultures comparatively because they’ve learned that no one language culture has all the answers. As a discipline, comparative literature seeks out and encourages multicultural and hybrid cultural experiences. As a result of their comparative study of literature and the other arts, as well as different cultures, graduates with this degree tend to see the world differently. It becomes a larger place than it was before, more varied, less uniform, with many histories rather than just one.

We prioritize working with each student in our program to help craft a trajectory and experience that are most meaningful for them. Our courses are small, and our faculty are passionate about working closely with students to help them explore their own interests in comparative contexts. For students who want to pursue more advanced research, we encourage them to work with faculty in the Comparative Literature Honors Program on an extended research project of their choice and/or to take graduate seminars. We also invite our majors and minors to seek our research opportunities with our faculty.

Our graduates pursue vibrant careers in diverse fields, including law, education, journalism and communications, writing and editing, media and entertainment, the travel industry, translation, medicine, and post-graduate study in the humanities (among others). Our most recent alumni have gone on hold Fulbright Fellowships, to attend Stanford University (Law), Harvard University (Comparative Literature), Albert Einstein College of Medicine, and Cambridge University (Literature), and to work for DC Comics, Entertainment Weekly, Creative Artists Agency, and Teach for America. Our students get extensive training in writing effectively, thinking critically, reading thoughtfully, and deepening and enriching their understanding of cultures around the world.