In planning your program, you are encouraged to think in terms of courses which complement and build upon one another. Because texts communicated across not only space but time, breadth of historical coverage remains an ideal. While students should develop a major focus around a particular historical period, theme, genre, or theoretical issue, they are also encouraged to take courses in genres and periods outside their area of primary specialization. Survey courses in national or culturally affiliated literatures may help towards competence in literary traditions. To the same end, students are strongly advised to take more than the required three courses in each tradition, preferably in the original languages.
Elective courses serve diverse purposes within the comparative literature major.
Upper level courses in national language departments further a student's knowledge of the language, literature and culture of the chosen tradition. Courses specifically designated as comparative literature courses, often focusing on a particular theme or method, provide an opportunity to experience the practice of comparative literature. Elective courses can also familiarize students with a given period, theme, or theoretical perspective, which will help in defining a senior thesis topic. A list of recommended courses is included in the Barnard College Catalogue . The Senior Thesis is an essay of at least 30 pages, normally submitted in your final semester at Barnard College.