The concentration proposes less to answer these questions than to investigate them. The concentration in Literature considers that knowledge of more than one language and one national literature is essential to addressing these comparative questions. In cases where a student does not have the necessary linguistic competence at the time of application, we are happy to help him or her make arrangements to acquire proficiency through continued course work or summer study. During the sophomore year students participate in group tutorials. By studying a variety of works, drawn from different genres, periods, media, and national literatures, sophomore concentrators will be introduced to some of the fundamental questions and techniques of literary and cultural interpretation.
Junior tutorial allows students to design an individual program of study.
During the fall semester, students explore, with the help of their tutors, possible areas of specialization. At the end of the term, they submit a statement defining a special topic within literary and cultural studies. During the spring semester of junior tutorial, they further their knowledge in their special topic and write a 20-25 page junior essay. Senior tutorial focuses primarily on thesis preparation. A senior thesis of 45-70 pages is required of all concentrators and is due on March 15.