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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, perhaps ancient if considering graduate school
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

Requirements and Recommendations

Related Departments/Programs
A. Language Departments/Programs: 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. We recommend no more than two courses in Creative Writing (i.e. ENG 257, ENG 357).
C. Students should take courses in the following departments and programs: Afro-American Studies; Asian Languages and Literatures; Center for Latin American, Caribbean, and Latino Studies; Classics; Communication; Film; Languages, Literatures, and Cultures; Linguistics.

Comparative Literature Courses
A. Courses at or above the 300 level will count toward the major. In addition, two 200-level COMP-LIT courses may be counted.
B. 394HI History of Literary Criticism is required and satisfies the University's Integrative Experience requirement. It is usually taught every semester.
C. 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.
D. 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. Junior Year Writing in Comparative Literature gives students the opportunity to develop their own academic interests.

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 UMass-sponsored programs, many of which are available through the Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures. Also contact the International Programs Office at UMass for opportunities. Most credits transfer to the University, and financial aid is available. Students planning to study abroad must get prior approval for courses they plan to take while abroad and meet with the Director of Undergraduate Studies.