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Undergraduate Catalog

2009 - 2010

BA in Comparative Literature (37–57 hours*)


Program Requirements    |    View MAP

  1. Acquire a thorough knowledge of two language traditions relevant to individual program of study (one of these may be English for students who emphasize the Anglo-American literary tradition)(approximately 16–32 hours). Competence will normally be demonstrated in course work, but an examination may be required. If planning advanced work in comparative literature, students should gain reading knowledge of both an additional modern language and a classical language.
  2. Complete a reading list (determined in consultation with a faculty advisor) and submit a writing portfolio. During the final semester enroll in CmLit 497 to complete a written examination on the reading list and to have the portfolio reviewed.

    CmLit 201 and 202 are strongly recommended, in part because the reading list core consists of texts treated in these courses. Students who do not complete a literature-based civilization sequence are at a disadvantage in working systematically through the list.

  3. Course configuration must be approved by department advisor.
  4. Complete the following:
  5. Complete five courses from the following:
      CMLIT 420R : Studies in Periods and Movements. (3:3:0) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
      CMLIT 420R : Studies in Periods and Movements. (3:3:0) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
      PREREQUISITE: CmLit 310 or Hum 350 or concurrent enrollment.
      DESCRIPTION: Topics vary.

                  : Medieval Literature.
                  : Renaissance Literature.
                  : Neoclassicism.
                  : Romanticism.
                  : Realism.
                  : Symbolism.
                  : 20th-Century Literature.
                  : Classics and Early America.
                  : 17th-Century Literature.
                  : Modernism.
                  : 12th-Century Renaissance.
                  : 18th-Century Literature.
                  : Postmodernism.

      CMLIT 430R : Studies in Literary Genres. (3:3:0) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
      CMLIT 430R : Studies in Literary Genres. (3:3:0) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
      PREREQUISITE: CmLit 310 or concurrent enrollment.
      DESCRIPTION: Various genres (e.g., novel, epic, tragedy) and problems of genre. Topics vary.

                  : Lyric.
                  : Tragedy.
                  : Novel.
                  : Comedy.
                  : The Romance.
                  : Poetry and Poetics.

      CMLIT 440R : Studies in Themes and Types. (3:3:0) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
      CMLIT 440R : Studies in Themes and Types. (3:3:0) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
      PREREQUISITE: CmLit 310 or concurrent enrollment.
      DESCRIPTION: Major literary themes (e.g., Faust, Don Juan, Ulysses, Arthur), types, motifs, and problems of literary typology. Topics vary.

                  : Faust Theme.
                  : Ulysses Theme.
                  : Arthurian Literature.
                  : Don Juan Theme.

      CMLIT 450R : Studies in Literary Relations. (3:3:0) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
      CMLIT 450R : Studies in Literary Relations. (3:3:0) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
      PREREQUISITE: CmLit 310 or concurrent enrollment.
      DESCRIPTION: Interrelations of national literatures and figures and of literature with other areas of knowledge (art, history, law, psychology, music, etc.). Topics vary.

                  : Philosophy and Literature.
                  : Literature and History.
                  : Symbolism.
                  : Literature and Music.
                  : Wagner and Wagnerism.
                  : Literature and Myth.
                  : Vergil, Augustine, and Dante.
                  : Literature and Politics.
                  : Literature and Cinema.
                  : Literature of Sensibility.
                  : East-West Relations.
                  : Asian Literature Traditions.
                  : U.S. and Carribean Literature.

      CMLIT 460R : Studies in Literary Theory. (3:3:0) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
      CMLIT 460R : Studies in Literary Theory. (3:3:0) (Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
      PREREQUISITE: CmLit 310 or concurrent enrollment.
      DESCRIPTION: Topics vary.

                  : Classical Rhetoric and Criticism.
                  : Practical Criticism.
                  : Historical Literary Theory.
                  : Contemporary Theory.

  6. Complete one of the following options:
  7. The following courses deal with texts in the original language. These courses must be in addition to previous requirements. Although English courses may be taken, courses must be taken in at least one other language as well. Complete 12 hours from the following:

*Hours include courses that may fulfill university core requirements.



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