Comparative Literature

The curriculum of the Department of Comparative Literature offers several options to students:

  • general humanities courses that will be of interest to all students
  • literature in translation courses for students who want advanced study of literature, as well as other arts and disciplines
  • an individualized major program
  • a minor program

Harpur College Requirements

Harpur College students must complete the following requirements in addition to those listed for the major:

  • 126 credits
  • 94 liberal arts and sciences credits
  • Minimum of 46 upper-level credits
  • Completion of the Harpur College writing requirement (four to five courses as described in the All-College Writing section of the Harpur College Undergraduate Information section of the Bulletin. Maximum of one C/J course and two W courses may be transferred).
  • Minimum of 44 credits in residence in Harpur College
  • 2.0 or higher GPA

Harpur College requirements are described in detail in the Requirements for Graduation section of the Harpur College Undergraduate Information section of the Bulletin.

The Comparative Literature Major

The comparative literature major is designed to allow students significant freedom in designing a major with a literary emphasis. It stresses foreign language skills and encourages students to approach literature from an interdisciplinary perspective. The department’s commitment to a vital engagement with literature and the arts, its encouragement of cross-disciplinary work and its strengths in the areas of literature, modern theory and philosophy, cultural studies and translation studies create a distinctive context for an innovative humanities major.

Requirements:

  • COLI 110, 111 World Literature I and II (or appropriate equivalents)
  • one comparative literature course at the 200-level or higher
  • one course in a foreign language beyond the 203-level
  • three courses in advanced literature, art or related disciplines at the 300- or 400-level. These should be chosen on an individualized basis through consultation with the departmental undergraduate advisor
  • COLI 371 World, Text, and Critic
  • COLI 372 Works that Call Forth Thinking
  • COLI 481 Methodologies and Masterpieces Tutorial

Notes: Depending on prior exposure to the language, introductory/elementary language courses (typically language courses numbered 101 and 102 or 111 and 115) and intermediate I level language courses (typically language courses numbered 203 or 211) are required prerequisites for completion of the major. Majors are expected to take courses for a letter grade to have them count for their major or minor in comparative literature.

Honors

Candidates for honors in the comparative literature major must write an honors thesis with a director chosen from among the comparative literature faculty. To be eligible, students must have a grade-point average of at least 3.5 for courses within the major. They may write their thesis in a single semester by enrolling in COLI 499 Honors Thesis, or may choose to devote a full year to the project by enrolling initially in COLI 498 Honors Seminar, and then, in the second semester, in COLI 499. COLI 498 is not a prerequisite for COLI 499; it simply offers students the opportunity to undertake larger projects. Students should consult with the undergraduate director to determine which option will best serve their needs and interests. The designation of honors in comparative literature is awarded to students who receive a grade of at least A– for their honors theses.

Requirements for Comparative Literature Minor

Required for an undergraduate minor in comparative literature:

  • one 100-level course in comparative literature (enrollment preference is given to minors in 100-level courses)
  • one course in any foreign language, 200-level or above
    COLI 481
  • three other 300- or 400-level courses in comparative literature
    a minimum of 12 credits in residence at °®¶¹´«Ã½.

Note: Minors are expected to take courses for a letter grade to have them count for their major or minor in comparative literature.

List of Faculty

Addendum: Changed language regarding tracks, 9/11/2023