PDF version of this chapterUndergraduate Degrees
Comparative Literature Major Requirements
Students may earn the B.A. in Comparative Literature by satisfying one of two sets of requirements. The first set, Comparative Literature with Interdisciplinary Option, is designed to include some course work from other literature departments and from other disciplines related to literary study (e.g., the arts, cinema-television, gender studies, history, religion, philosophy).These requirements provide the opportunity to create a major program that is broadly based in the liberal arts, with special emphasis on literature and its interrelations with other fields. Students who choose to complete these requirements might consider completing a double major or minor in a non-literary field or in English. Conversely, the minor in Comparative Literature with Interdisciplinary Option will complement the programs of students majoring in non-literary fields or in English.
The second set of requirements, Comparative Literature with Foreign Language Emphasis, incorporates the study of at least one literature in a foreign language into the comparative and interdisciplinary perspectives of courses in the Comparative Literature Department.
Students who intend to pursue graduate studies in comparative literature or a foreign literature are strongly advised to complete these requirements, as are students who already possess advanced skills in a language other than English. Majors in comparative literature with foreign language emphasis might consider a double major or a minor in a department of foreign language or in a non-literary field such as international relations or journalism. Conversely, the minor in comparative literature with foreign language emphasis will complement the programs of students majoring in a foreign language or in these non-literary fields.
Comparative Literature Major with Interdisciplinary Option
Students earn a B.A. in Comparative Literature and are required to complete at least 40 units (10 courses) as follows:(a) COLT 301 and COLT 401
(b) Six additional COLT courses, of which no more than two may be at the 200-level. (Note that courses marked “x” cannot be taken for major credit.)
(c) A combination of two additional upper-division courses selected from COLT and/or other literature departments, or in fields related to literature through interdisciplinary approaches (e.g., history and theory of the arts, cinema-television, gender studies, history, religion and philosophy.) All courses outside comparative literature must be selected in consultation with a departmental advisor.
Comparative Literature Major with Foreign Language Emphasis
Students earn a B.A. in Comparative Literature and are required to complete 40 units (10 courses) as follows:(a) COLT 301 and COLT 401
(b) Five additional COLT courses, of which no more than two may be at the 200-level. (Note that courses marked “x” cannot be taken for major credit.)
(c) Three courses in the literature of a foreign language, with all readings in that language.
Honors Program
The B.A. in Comparative Literature with Honors is available to students who are admitted to the honors program. Qualifications for admission are: an overall GPA of at least 3.0 (A = 4.0), and a GPA of at least 3.5 in courses counted for major credit.Majors in Comparative Literature with Interdisciplinary Option must complete a four-unit course of independent study (COLT 490x) and COLT 495 Senior Honors Thesis in place of two upper division courses. In place of two upper division courses, majors in comparative literature with foreign language emphasis must complete an upper division course in the literature of a second language other than English and COLT 495 Senior Honors Thesis.
Minor in Comparative Literature
Students may minor in either comparative literature with interdisciplinary option or in comparative literature with foreign language emphasis. This first minor will complement a major in English or in a non-literary field related to literature through interdisciplinary approaches. The second minor will complement a major in a foreign language or in a non-literary field where foreign language skills are advantageous (e.g., international relations, journalism).Minor in Comparative Literature with Interdisciplinary Option
Students are required to complete at least 24 units (six courses) as follows:(a) COLT 301 and COLT 401
(b) Two additional COLT courses, of which no more than one may be at the 200-level. (Note that courses marked “x” cannot be taken for major credit.)
(c) A combination of two additional upper-division courses selected from COLT and/or other literature departments, or in fields related to literature through interdisciplinary approaches (e.g., history and theory of the arts, cinema-television, gender studies, history, religion and philosophy.) All courses outside of Comparative Literature must be selected in consultation with a departmental advisor.
Minor in Comparative Literature with Foreign Language Emphasis
Students are required to complete at least 24 units (six courses) as follows:(a) COLT 301 and COLT 401
(b) Three additional COLT courses, of which no more than one may be at the 200-level. (Note that courses marked “x” cannot be taken for major credit.)
(c) One course in the literature of a foreign language, with all readings in that language.