This program offers literary study not restricted to one nationality. It develops not only the reading and writing skills of an English major and the language skills of a foreign language major, but also the awareness of cultural differences and interrelations. The selection of classes is flexible, allowing students, with the help of their adviser, to design a major that suits their particular interests. 201 - an introduction to comparative methods, and C.Lit. 202 - a history of ideas in relation to literature.
Some students combine the two modern or two classical semesters instead of the historical sequence.
These courses will let students consider which areas most interest them, and will provide them with a general background for more specific studies. For students who are attracted by the comparative study of literature, but do not have the requisite language skills, a minor is possible, reading literatures in translation. This minor can usefully complement majors in any of the specific literatures or area studies, as well as philosophy, history, political science, art history, or theater. It can also provide a broad cultural education for students in more professionally or technically oriented majors. The comparative literature major provides a sound general education which can lead in any number of career directions .