Major: Comparative Literature
Try to imagine King Lear translated into Chinese and you will have an idea of the difference it makes to read a literary masterpiece in its original language. As a comparative literature major, you will study literature and literary movements across national and cultural boundaries. You may trace the influence of Chinese poetry on American poetry, or compare early Japanese novels to more contemporary French ones. Whatever you read, you will learn to see life from a variety of perspectives.
Students of comparative literature learn about the literature and literary traditions of two or more different countries, cultures, or languages.
“What I like most about comp. lit. is how flexible it is and how you can really make it into what you want it to be.”
Alexandra, sophomore, comparative literature,
University of Chicago
Are You Ready To...?
- Learn another language well enough to read its literature
- Learn maybe two or even three foreign languages
- Immerse yourself in another country’s culture -- perhaps by studying abroad for a semester
- Write a senior thesis (long research paper) comparing, for example, how Russian and American films each portray the Cold War
It Helps to Be...
Articulate, creative, analytical, and open to different cultures.
College Checklist
- How many full-time comparative literature professors teach in the program?
- Will you have the chance to write a senior thesis under the guidance of a professor?
- Does the program offer a study-abroad program?
- Is there a departmental club for you to join? Will you get to help plan events, such as readings by writers from different countries?
Did You Know?
- Comparative literature majors may explore the connections between literature and art, anthropology, history, or film.
Course Spotlight
As a junior or senior comparative literature major, you’ll get to take advanced seminars. You’ll meet with a professor and a small group of other students to discuss specific topics. The focus of the seminar might be on a single novel or book, such as Ovid’s Metamorphoses. Or it could be on the works of certain ethnic groups, such as Puerto Rican, Chicano, and Cuban American writing in the
