Mar 28, 2024  
2014-2015 University Catalog 
    
2014-2015 University Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Comparative Literature, BA


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About the Program

The purpose of the Comparative Literature Program is to foster cooperation between the Department of English and the School of Languages and Cultures. The program achieves this purpose by encouraging the study of literature, by promoting the study of a second or third foreign language, and by sponsoring courses and dissertations that cut across national boundaries. Comparative Literature recognizes that some fields - classics, medieval studies, Renaissance, post-colonial - are inherently comparative and seeks to facilitate the work of students and scholars in these fields. The program also recognizes the role of other disciplinesparticularly history and philosophy, but also the social sciences and psychology in developing theoretical approaches to literature. While recognizing the value of cultural studies and linguistics, and encouraging investigations based in these disciplines, the program recognizes that other areas make these disciplines their priority. By contrast, Comparative Literature takes as its special mandate the teaching and comparing of world literature, not only as social documents but also as works of art whose full appreciation depends on the study of languages, an understanding of diversity and globalization, and an appreciation of various media.

By virtue of the Program’s ability to draw on the curricular strengths of several academic departments, we have the flexibility and resources to accommodate individualized plans of study for qualified students. Each student has the opportunity to do graduate-level work in the original language in the following literatures: British, Chinese, French (both continental and francophone), German, Classical Greek, Italian, Japanese, Latin (classical and medieval), Portuguese (Luso-Brazilian), Russian, Spanish (both Peninsular and Spanish/American), and American literature. In addition, the student may work in areas such as Cultural Studies, Feminist Thought, Folklore, Literary Theory, Philosophy of Aesthetics, Postcolonial Studies, Queer Studies, Rhetoric, and Visual Culture. In addition to the body of knowledge and methodology appropriate to each individual program of study, students acquire a familiarity with the history, methods, and bibliography of Comparative Literature through a core seminar (ENGL 660/FLL 630, required of all incoming students in their first semester) and with the corpus of critical approaches and literary theory. In coursework pertaining to their special areas, students are strongly encouraged to design their research papers along comparative lines.

For graduate students, Comparative Literature Program offers the M.A. and Ph.D. degrees. Students should apply directly to the program through the Graduate School. With approximately ninety faculty members in two departments, of whom a dozen or so regularly participate in Comparative Literature, the graduate program allows cross-disciplinary studies in a variety of areas, including literature, visual aesthetics, women’s studies, philosophy, Afro-American and Latino studies. A range of financial resources are available to fund graduate students. Our graduate students come from China, Egypt, Turkey, Germany, Italy, Brazil, Spain, India, the United States, and many other countries.

Charles Ross, Director
Professor of English and Comparative Literature

Summary of Program Requirements

The Summary of Program Requirements for Comparative Literature  is a comprehensive list of those categories which a student must fulfill in order to earn their degree. Unlike the full Detailed Program Requirements listed below, complete lists of selectives for any given category are not shown. These summaries are intended to be printer-friendly and less expansive in detail.

Detailed Program Requirements

Please see below for detailed program requirements and possible selective fulfillments.

Comparative Literature-BA
CMPL
120 Credits

A grade of “C” or better is required for any course used to fulfill a pre-major or major requirement

Comparative Literature Major Requirements (33 credits)


B. Six hours of literature and language studies in student’s primary foreign language (6 credits)


  • 30100 Language Level V - Credit Hours: 3.00
  • 24100 Introduction to the Study of ___________ Literature (or equivalent)

C. Three hours of a student’s secondary foreign language course (3 credits)


D. Fifteen hours in world literatures at the 20000 level or higher (15 credits)


  • No more than Six hours of film studies courses (33000, ENGL 38600 , ENGL 38700 )
  • No more than Three hours of Directed Reading (59000)
  • A minimum of Three hours at the 40000 level or higher

Other Departmental /Program Course Requirements (54 - 56 credits)


Other Departmental /Program Course Requirements

Electives (31-33 credits)


University Core Requirements


  • Human Cultures Humanities
  • Human Cultures Behavioral/Social Science
  • Information Literacy
  • Science #1
  • Science #2
  • Science, Technology, and Society
  • Written Communication
  • Oral Communication
  • Quantitative Reasoning

Program Requirements


Fall 1st Year


15-17 Credits


Spring 1st Year


15-16 Credits


Fall 2nd Year


  • REQ A - Credit Hours: 3.00
  • Gender Issues - Credit Hours: 3.00
  • Individual & Society - Credit Hours: 3.00
  • SLC 20100 - Credit Hours: 3.00 - 4.00
  • Natural Science - Credit Hours: 3.00

15-16 Credits


Spring 2nd Year


  • REQ D - Credit Hours: 3.00
  • United States Tradition - Credit Hours: 3.00
  • Aesthetic Awareness - Credit Hours: 3.00
  • Natural Science Lab - Credit Hours: 3.00
  • SLC 20200 - Credit Hours: 3.00 - 4.00

15-16 Credits


Fall 3rd Year


  • SLC 30100 - Credit Hours: 3.00 - 4.00
  • REQ C - Credit Hours: 3.00
  • Social Ethics - Credit Hours: 3.00
  • Racial and Ethnic Diversity - Credit Hours: 3.00
  • Global Perspectives - Credit Hours: 3.00

15-16 Credits


Spring 3rd Year


  • SLC 24100 - Credit Hours: 3.00
  • REQ D - Credit Hours: 3.00
  • REQ D - Credit Hours: 3.00
  • Other Cultures - Credit Hours: 3.00
  • Elective - Credit Hours: 3.00

15 Credits


Fall 4th Year


  • REQ D - Credit Hours: 3.00
  • Elective - Credit Hours: 3.00
  • Elective - Credit Hours: 3.00
  • Elective - Credit Hours: 3.00
  • Elective - Credit Hours: 3.00

15 Credits


Spring 4th Year


  • REQ D (40000 Level) - Credit Hours: 3.00
  • Elective - Credit Hours: 3.00
  • Elective - Credit Hours: 3.00
  • Elective - Credit Hours: 3.00
  • Elective - Credit Hours: 3.00

15 Credits


Note


A grade of “C” or better is required for any course used to fulfill a pre-major or major requirement

120 semester credits required for Bachelor of Arts degree.

2.0 Graduation GPA required for Bachelor of Arts degree.

32 credit hours at 30000 level or higher required for Bachelor of Arts degree.

Degree Requirements


The student is ultimately responsible for knowing and completing all degree requirements.

Degree Works is knowledge source for specific requirements and completion

Foreign Language Courses


Foreign Language proficiency requirements vary by program.  For acceptable languages and proficiency levels, see your advisor:

American Sign Language, Arabic, Chinese, French, German, (ancient) Greek, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Latin, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish

Critical Course


The ♦ course is considered critical. A Critical Course is one that a student must be able to pass to persist and succeed in a particular major.

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