Mar 28, 2024  
2019-2020 University Catalog 
    
2019-2020 University Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Comparative Literature, BA


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About the Program

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. The program encourages 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. The three introductory courses, Introduction to Comparative Literature, World Literature: From the Beginning to 1700 A.D., and World Literature: 1700 to the Present, give students a base upon which to build their studies.  The Comparative Literature program is designed so that students can individualize their plans of study.

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 disciplines, particularly history and philosophy, but also the social sciences and psychology in developing theoretical approaches to literature.

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.

Please visit Comparative Literature for more information.

Degree Requirements


120 Credits Required

Liberal Arts Core Curriculum


Each liberal arts major is designed as a four-year plan of study and includes three types of courses: Major, Core, and Elective. Most students take five courses per semester, with some of each type.

Professional academic advisors meet individually with each of our students on a regular basis to help with course selection, academic planning, and career development, as well as to help students find additional resources on campus.

For the Liberal Arts Core Curriculum click here .

Departmental/Program Major Course Requirements (33 credits)


A. Required Courses (12 credits)


Literary Theory (3 credits)


World Literature Surveys (6 credits)


Selectives (21 credits)


Each course in the lists below can be used only ONCE in the major.

Click here for Comparative Literature Supplemental Information  

B. Foreign Language Studies (9 credits)


Literature, Language and Culture courses in student’s primary foreign language area. At least 6 credits in target language.

C. Literature Courses (9 credits)


At least 3 credits must be in diverse literatures (race, class, gender, sexuality).  These courses should be in a Literature or Literatures other than the student’s primary foreign language focus.

D. Film Studies (3 Credits)


Other Departmental/Program Course Requirements (57 credits)


  • Each liberal arts major is designed as a four-year plan of study and includes three types of courses: Major, Core, and Elective. Most students take five courses per semester, with some of each type.
  • Professional academic advisors meet individually with each of our students on a regular basis to help with course selection, academic planning, and career development, as well as to help students find additional resources on campus.
  • For the Liberal Arts Core Curriculum click here. 

Electives (30-51 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

For a complete listing of course selectives, visit the Provost’s Website.

Prerequisite Information:


For current pre-requisites for courses, click here.


 

Program Requirements


15-16 Credits


15 Credits


Fall 2nd Year


15 Credits


Spring 2nd Year


  • REQ B - Credit Hours: 3.00
  • United States Tradition - Credit Hours: 3.00
  • Aesthetic Awareness - Credit Hours: 3.00
  • Natural Science Lab - Credit Hours: 3.00
  • Foreign Language 20200 - Credit Hours: 3.00 

15 Credits


Fall 3rd Year


  • REQ B - Credit Hours: 3.00
  • 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 Credits


Spring 3rd Year


  • REQ B - Credit Hours: 3.00
  • REQ C - Credit Hours: 3.00
  • REQ C - 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


  • Elective - 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


Notes


  • A grade of “C” or better is required for any course used to fulfill a pre-major or major requirement. The P/NP option is not available for this requirement.
  • 2.0 Graduation GPA required for Bachelor of Arts degree.
  • 32 credit hours of Purdue coursework at the 30000 level or higher required for Bachelor of Arts degree.
  • Liberal Arts offers a streamlined plan of study for students pursuing a second degree outside CLA. Contact the CLA Advising Office for more information.

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.

In alignment with the Degree Map Guidance for Indiana’s Public Colleges and Universities, published by the Commission for Higher Education (pursuant to HEA 1348-2013), a Critical Course is identified as “one that a student must be able to pass to persist and succeed in a particular major.  Students who want to be nurses, for example, should know that they are expected to be proficient in courses like biology in order to be successful.  These would be identified by the institutions for each degree program”. 

Disclaimer


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

The myPurduePlan powered by DegreeWorks is the knowledge source for specific requirements and completion.

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