The Comparative Literature Minor
The minor in Comparative Literature offers students a unique opportunity to
study literature across cultural and linguistic boundaries. The discipline of
comparative literature traditionally focuses on literary phenomena that traverse
national and linguistic frontiers, such as broad literary periods or trends,
genres and stylistic conventions, reception, literary influence, theories of
literature and aesthetics, and intertextuality.
Through the systematic comparison of literary works from more than one culture or era, students of comparative literature come to a clearer understanding of what literature is – its forms and traditions – as well as its relation to adjacent fields such as art, history, linguistics, and philosophy. By studying literatures of other cultures in their original languages, students also gain an awareness of the politics and pragmatics of literary translation, as well as a sensitivity to the concrete historicity and cultural specificity of literary texts. Students who study comparative literature can employ the skills and information learned in their courses to supplement and further their careers in a wide range of fields, including education, law, creative writing, international business, marketing, librarianship, editing, technical writing, publishing, communications, translation, history, international studies, literature, and philosophy.
In consultation with an advisor, students who minor in Comparative Literature
are expected to design an intellectually coherent program of study which focuses
on the literature of at least two distinct cultures (e.g., French and African
literature of the French colonial period, classical literature and the
Renaissance, or Latin American and U.S. literature of the twentieth century).
While courses in fulfillment of this requirement may be drawn from a wide range
of disciplines, including English, Modern Languages, History, Philosophy, Classical
Studies, African-American Studies, Women’s and Gender Studies, and the Honors
Program, the goal of the minor is to enable students to put the literatures of
different cultures and eras in dialogue. This cultural and literary
juxtaposition will culminate in a required capstone independent research course designed
by the student, approved by an advisor of the Comparative Literature program,
and supervised by a faculty member of the student’s choice.
Students interested in a minor in Comparative Literature should consult with one of the advisors in the program as early as possible to plan their program of study.
Requirements for the Minor
- FRE 240, ITL 240, SPA 241, GRE 201, LAT 201, or the equivalent in another
language.
- CMP 498: Capstone Independent Research in Comparative Literature
- Three elective courses, chosen in consultation with an advisor in the Comparative Literature program. At least two of these electives must be 300- or 400-level courses.
For more information, contact
Prof. Harriet Hustis, Dept. of English, Coordinator of Comparative Literature (hustis@tcnj.edu).
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