Comparative Literature MA

The Department of Comparative Literature is a small department whose distinctiveness lies in fostering students’ originality and independent intellectual inquiries. Its core identity consists in the theoretical studies of literature, politics and culture. The department stresses philosophical and theoretical graduate studies in the humanities, and is best known for its interdisciplinary work in post-Kantian philosophy, poststructuralism, and literatures of the 18th through 21st centuries. The cutting-edge, theoretical-philosophical approaches frame the various fields in our department’s research and teaching.

Required Courses (27 credits)

All courses must be intensive [A] seminars.

Must choose seven Comparative Literature (COL) SEM or LEC courses (Excluding REC and TUT classes) that must be taught by “core” COL faculty.
Choose remaining two SEM or LEC courses from the following departments:
- COL, Comparative Literature
- APY, Anthropology
- CL, Classics
- ENG, English
- FR, French
- JDS, Judaic Studies
- PHI, Philosophy
- SPA, Spanish
Other departments with approval by Director of Graduate Studies (DGS).

Electives & Culminating Experience (3 credits)

Elective (if choosing Exam: 3 credits)

(1) Elective, 3-credit non-intensive recitation course (as approved by DGS) must be completed to fulfill the 30-credit minimum. if exam is chosen for Culminating Experience.
Choose from graduate level classes in COL, APY, CL, ENG, FR, JDS, PHI, SPA.

Culminating Experience (0-3 credits)

**Project option is defined as a 30-50-page essay on a topic agreed to by the faculty advisor, the DGS, and the student.
*In addition to passing the exam (1) 3-credit non-intensive recitation course (as approved by DGS or Chair) must be completed to fulfill the 30-credit minimum. (i.e. an elective)

Project**: COL 598TUT - Masters Project Guidance Credits: 1 - 3
Exam*: (and elective)

Total Credit Hours: 30

3.0 Degree GPA required

Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs)

1) Students must demonstrate mastery of the conceptual framework(s) used to analyze their chosen object of study in literature or culture.

2) Knowledge of multiple national literatures such as English, Romance Languages, German, Slavic

3) Interpretive methods: rigorous conceptual analysis with extensive background in continental thought and literary theory

4) Research skills: think critically about the tradition of scholarship, synthesize the insights of major literary and philosophical developments, literary interpretation of texts

5) Preparation for advanced PhD study

SED Statement

This program is officially registered with the New York State Education Department (SED).