Frequently Asked Questions

For any other questions, contact complit.student.services@umich.edu.

How long does it take to fulfill requirements for a major?

Most students fulfill the major requirements in their last two years, by taking two or more courses required for their major each semester. Those who start earlier find they have more time and choice of courses. 

Does the order in which I take courses matter?

It is important to work on your language skills during your first two years so that you are prepared to take more advanced literature courses in your language(s) for your major. The only course that all students majoring in Comparative Literature, Arts, and Media are required to take at a specific time is COMPLIT 495, the capstone seminar offered in the fall semester of the senior year. The only course that all students majoring in Translation or minoring in Translation Studies are required to take is COMPLIT 497.

For students who choose to write an Honors Thesis, COMPLIT 496 follows in the second semester of the senior year. With the exception of these courses, our programs allow you to take course requirements in the order that best suits you. 

Can I repeat a course for credit?

Some courses in Comparative Literature carry general titles under which varied topics may be offered. If you want to take a different topic under the same course number, you can take the course again for credit if you get departmental permission. Be sure to contact complit.student.services@umich.edu within the first two weeks of class to make this request. Refer to the LSA Course Guide for a list of courses that cannot be taken more than once for credit. Please note: You cannot take the same course twice to get a better grade.

What if courses are full?

If courses fill before you can get into them, indicate your desire to get in by signing up for the course’s waitlist. This alerts the department to the overload and may result in other sections being opened. The student services team monitors the waitlists for the upcoming term and when space becomes available in a course, students will be moved off of the waitlist and into the course. You will be notified by email with instructions on how to register for the course.

In Comparative Literature courses, students are required to attend the first two meetings of the class in order to claim a place. Do not assume that your place will be held if, for some reason, you cannot make it to the first class meeting. See our attendance and waitlist policies for more. If a course is full, put your name on the waitlist and attend the first two meetings to try to get permission to register. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the attendance and waitlist policies in other departments whose courses you elect. 

What if I do not complete a course?

Occasionally you may not be able to complete the coursework because of extenuating circumstances. In such a case, ask the instructor to approve you taking a grade of Incomplete. Incompletes are rare and not given automatically. They are not given, for instance, to students who don’t feel ready to take the final exam or to write a final paper. The professor must give permission in advance. LSA students can find more information on incompletes here. 

What if I have to withdraw from college?

Emergency situations may necessitate a student’s withdrawal from the college either temporarily or permanently. Before making a definite decision, we suggest you talk to an advisor or counselor, to see what options are open to you. If you do decide to withdraw, you should leave in good standing so that if and when you return your transcript will be in order. Notify the Office of Academic Actions either in writing or in person. There is a disenrollment fee if you leave after the first day of class. 

What if I change my mind about my major?

You do not need to schedule an advising appointment if you’re dropping the major, although we do ask that you email the Student Services Assistant (complit.student.services@umich.edu) as a courtesy. Please note if you have your declaration change processed by another department.

What if I believe I was unfairly graded?

The first step is to discuss the grade with your instructor. If, after a thorough discussion of your work, you still feel unfairly graded, you may appeal through the grievance process established by the department offering the course. The Comparative Literature policy is available to view here.

Are there internship opportunities?

Yes, internships can be used for academic credit for our majors. (See the “Internships for Academic Credit” tabs under the Major in Comparative Literature, Arts, and Media or Major in Translation pages.) Students majoring in Translation or minoring in Translation Studies can propose internships as the basis of a capstone project. The Department of Comparative Literature will assist you in finding leads for internships in many professional settings.

Can I work on my degree during study abroad?

Yes! Students are strongly encouraged to pursue language training and translation activities during study abroad. Some courses can even be counted toward your requirements. You can also consult with the department advisor or your capstone advisor about working on your capstone project during study abroad.

Do I have to specialize in a foreign language?

Most approved course plans for our programs will include at least one upper-level course in a second language. However, Translation Studies students interested in translating across different media, technologies, or disciplines may petition for an exception to the language rule, by proposing an upper-level course that develops other skills relevant to the capstone translation project. Majors in Comparative Literature, Arts, and Media can choose to focus on a medium or discipline instead of intensive language work. 

I’m a Translation Studies student. Do I have to specialize in literary studies?

No! Our programs are designed with flexibility in mind for students to explore and engage translation in many disciplinary and interdisciplinary contexts. Our students pursue the relationship between text and dance, they work towards social justice by helping immigrants navigate the complex cultural and legal challenges of living in the US, they think about the relationship between translation and artificial intelligence – the possibilities are endless!

I’m a Translation Studies student. How do I plan for my capstone project?

Students consult with the Director of Undergraduate Studies or Translation advisor to submit a proposal for the capstone project. A checklist is provided to complete each phase of the project and to register for three credits (usually during the fall or winter term of the senior year).