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Students select one of the following four interdepartmental options:

I. General Language/Literature Track
12 upper-level credits in the major literature
12 upper-level credits in the minor literature
15 upper-level credits in Comparative Literature

II. Advanced Language/Literature Track

A. With elementary work in a third language
12 upper-level credits in the major literature
9 upper-level credits in the minor literature
6 credits of elementary work in a third language, preferably ancient
15 upper-level credits in Comparative Literature

B. With upper-level work in a third language
12 upper-level credits in the major literature
6 upper-level credits in the minor literature
6 upper-level credits in a third literature
15 upper-level credits in Comparative Literature

III. Literature and a Related Discipline
12 upper-level credits in the department/program of the related discipline
12 upper-level credits in a major literature
6 upper-level credits in a minor literature
15 upper-level credits in Comparative Literature

For a full description of Film Study as a related discipline, see description available from the Comparative Literature Program.

Requirements and Recommendations

Related Departments/Programs
A. Language Departments/Programs: Only upper-level courses in literature (not literature in translation) may be counted toward the major. To define “upper-level,” Comparative Literature recognizes each department’s or program’s definition as applied to its own majors. Usually, a course numbered 240 or higher is considered to be upper-level; please inquire at particular departments/programs for details.
B. One 3-credit course in Creative Writing may be counted upon written request (including a description of the particular course and its relation to the student’s major program) to the Undergraduate Studies Committee of Comparative Literature.

Comparative Literature Courses
A. Courses at or above the 300 level will count toward the major. In addition, one 200-level COMP-LIT course may be counted. Students may count a maximum of two film courses for the COMP-LIT segment of the major, one of which must be 400-level or above.
B. A senior seminar in literary theory is required. Students should consult with an advisor before their senior year to learn which course(s) will fulfill this requirement in the appropriate year. Students selecting the third major track may use the term paper to focus on the connection between literature and their related discipline. Any COMP-LIT graduate course satisfies the theory requirement.
C. 394HI History of Literary Criticism is required and satisfies the University's Integrative Experience requirement. It is usually taught spring semester only.
D. A non-Western or African American humanities course is strongly recommended.
E. No more than 6 credit hours of Independent Study courses may be counted toward the major, except with written approval of specific requests by the Undergraduate Studies Committee.
F. COMP-LIT 397B Junior Year Writing meets the University requirement for a second writing course. This course is in addition to the 15 required upper-level credits of Comparative Literature, and is offered in the fall semester.

Grade Restrictions
No course graded lower than C may be counted toward the major. No courses counting toward the major may be taken on a Pass/Fail basis.

Education Abroad
Just as the Program of Comparative Literature often plays host to exchange students from abroad, universities in Brazil, Ecuador, France, Germany, Italy, Russia, Spain and in other countries have provided opportunities for semester and year-long study to majors in Comparative Literature. Interested students should consult International Programs, tel. (413) 545-2710, for specific information on such overseas study. Costs are usually very reasonable, most credits transfer to the university, and financial aid is available.