Comparative Literature (2022 - 2024)
General Information
The guidelines of our program allow students great flexibility in shaping a course of study suited to their own intellectual goals. While all majors in comparative literature must take four courses originating in the Department of Comparative Literature, our commitment to a global and interdisciplinary outlook means that the remaining six courses required for the major can be taken in other departments or even, by taking advantage of NYU study away opportunities, on other continents. All students planning to major in comparative literature register with the director of undergraduate studies, who works closely with them to develop a coherent sequence of courses suited to their individual interests. Regular advising sessions with the director of undergraduate studies and a remarkably low student-faculty ratio help our students make the most of the wide range of possibilities that define the major. To take full advantage of the opportunities provided by comparative literature, students are encouraged to declare the major as early in their academic career as possible. In addition, please note that students planning to study away should consult and declare with the director of undergraduate studies well before their departure.
Major Track 1: Literature
This track of the comparative literature major requires ten 4-point courses (40 points) completed with a grade of C or better and organized as follows:
- Four courses (16 points) originating in the Department of Comparative Literature. These four courses must be taught by a full-time faculty member of the Department of Comparative Literature on the Washington Square campus; they cannot be cross-listed courses originating in another department. These four courses must include both of the following:
- Introduction to Comparative Literature (COLIT-UA 116)
- Junior Theory Seminar (COLIT-UA 200)
- Four courses (16 points) in a national literature department at the 100 level or above, conducted in the language of that literature.
- Two courses (8 points) in a related cultural field or discipline. Fields could include history, art history, religion, philosophy, classics, politics, cinema studies, and so on, and could also be another foreign language or literary area. If the national literature department selected for specialization is English, these two courses must be conducted in a foreign language. The choice of these courses will be made in consultation with the adviser to form a coherent intellectual field and a defined objective in the major.
Major Track 2: Literary and Cultural Studies
This track of the comparative literature major requires ten 4-point courses (40 points) completed with a grade of C or better and organized as follows:
- Four courses (16 points) originating in the Department of Comparative Literature. These four courses must be taught by a faculty member of the Department of Comparative Literature on the Washington Square campus; they cannot be cross-listed courses originating in another department. These four courses must include both of the following:
- Introduction to Comparative Literature (COLIT-UA 116)
- Junior Theory Seminar (COLIT-UA 200)
- Four courses (16 points) in a related cultural field or discipline. Fields could include history, art history, religion, philosophy, classics, politics, cinema studies, and so on. The choice of these courses will be made in consultation with the adviser to form a coherent intellectual field and a defined objective in the major.
- Two courses (8 points) in a foreign literature department conducted in the language of that literature, normally at the 100 level or above.
Double Major
As a promoter of interdisciplinary work, the department encourages double majors between comparative literature and other departments. The possibility of pursuing a double major should be discussed with the director of undergraduate studies.
Minor
The Department of Comparative Literature welcomes minors. Requirements for a minor in comparative literature consist of:
- Four courses originating in the department (i.e., not cross-listed courses originating in other departments), including Introduction to Comparative Literature (COLIT-UA 116), all completed with a grade of C or better.
- Reading knowledge of a foreign language.
Honors Program
To graduate with honors in the major in comparative literature, a student must maintain at least a 3.65 average in the ten courses required for the major, earn at least a 3.65 overall GPA in the College of Arts and Science, and write a senior honors thesis in his or her final year. At the end of the junior year, each honors student meets with the director of undergraduate studies for initial advisement and approval. Following this approval, a student may write the honors thesis by taking the Senior Seminar course (COLIT-UA 400) in the fall semester and then enrolling in a thesis writing independent study (COLIT-UA 997) in the spring semester. This independent study will generally be conducted under the supervision of a faculty member of the Department of Comparative Literature whose area of academic expertise coincides with the focus of the honors thesis. To be awarded honors, a student must complete this two-course sequence and produce a quality senior thesis. The Senior Seminar (COLIT-UA 400) is an 11th course for the major, in addition to the four courses originating in the Department of Comparative Literature and the other six courses for the major. The independent study may count as one of the ten courses required for the major, pending approval from the director of undergraduate studies.
Internships
The department offers its majors and minors elective credit for internships in publishing, at literary agencies, and at other professional offices. Please consult the internship section of our website and contact the director of undergraduate studies for more information.