The Comparative Literature Program includes courses taught by faculty
from all the language and literature departments and from philosophy
and anthropology. It offers students the opportunity to study literary
texts in their historical, social, and cultural contexts. Courses
frequently include works of philosophy, history, psychology,
anthropology, and the cinema. They aim to help students learn to read
and write critically, with greater pleasure and understanding.
Majors can prepare for graduate study and work in such fields as law,
education, publishing, writing, and translation. Because major
requirements overlap with those of English and the foreign languages,
comparative literature is an excellent choice as one of two majors or
as a minor. Although comparative literature courses involve study of
texts from many countries, all are read and taught in English.