Major in Comparative Literature, Arts, and Media

Do you have an interest in languages, literatures, and media from cultures around the world? Do you enjoy reading and writing, and the discussions that follow thoughtful reading? Are you curious about the relationship between literature and other disciplines?

A major in Comparative Literature, Arts, and Media provides an ideal intellectual site for students to draw connections across languages, cultures, periods, genres, media, and disciplines, in a rigorous, yet individually designed program. 

Our faculty represent the the diversity of Comparative Literature as a discipline. Faculty members in our department all hold joint appointments with other departments, and all of us are united by a passion for literature and a strong commitment to international and interdisciplinary approaches to literary and cultural studies. We encourage students to follow their curiosity and develop their commitments to literature, culture, and theoretical investigations by venturing beyond national and disciplinary boundaries, and to explore literature’s intersections with other media and disciplines.

The guidelines of the program allow great flexibility in shaping a course of study according to your intellectual goals. Some students approach the major through foreign language, others through a media studies or arts focus. As a student majoring in Comparative Literature, Arts, and Media, you will have the opportunity to work with faculty in several departments. If you wish to pursue a double major, it may be possible to count some courses for your other major toward your major in Comparative Literature as well. If you have an interest in translation, it is possible to pursue a translation project as part of your coursework, or you could sign up for a Minor in Translation Studies. There is also the option of integrating one or two semesters of study abroad into your plans for the major. 

We encourage you to keep in regular touch with our Director of Undergraduate Studies (DUS), and we invite you to become part of the CompLit community.  Our department organizes a welcome back reception every year in the Fall and a holiday reception in the Winter for all students and faculty in Comparative Literature, as well as a graduation reception in April or early May. We encourage you to meet our graduate students and to attend lectures and other events organized by the department!

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