Getting Started (Majors Guide)

College: HFA

 (Revised Spring 2018)  

How to Explore / Get Started in the Major

Suggested General Education Courses

Under the new guidelines students are still required to take two courses, one in U.S. Diversity and one in Global Diversity. Students entering in Fall 2018 are expected to take one of these diversity courses, either U.S. or Global, in their first year on campus.  For Fall 2018 Registration, look for courses with DU (formerly U) and DG (formerly G) to help students stay on track.  Any course labled DU will satisfy the requirement for a U.S. diversity course and any course labeled DG will satisfy the the requirement for Global diversity course. Course planning guidelines, including guidelines for students, are available at www.umass.edu/gened.

Students are strongly encouraged to take courses in the following departments and programs: Afro-American Studies; Art, Architecture, and Art History; Center for Latin American, Caribbean, and Latino Studies; Classics; Communication; Film; History; Judaic and Near Eastern Studies; Languages, Literatures, and Cultures; Linguistics; Social Thought and Political Economy; Theater; Women, Gender, Sexuality Studies; Philosophy.

Suggested Major and Pre-requisite Courses

Comparative Literature provides a global, interdepartmental approach to the study of literature. Courses in Comparative Literature examine literary works from many national traditions, and also study the relations between literature and the arts. Majors take courses in at least two language and literature departments or programs, one of which may be English, in addition to at least 6 Comparative Literature courses.

Students should take ENGLWRIT 112.

Knowledge of a language other than English (measured by courses or the equivalent) is required for the completion of the major. Study abroad is strongly recommended.

Given the language proficiency required to fulfill major requirements, students should meet with the Undergraduate Program Director early to choose a track. Students may change tracks if their interests change.

How to Declare the Major

Students can see an advisor or the Undergraduate Program Director anytime for admission to the major. Once admitted to the major, Comparative Literature faculty advise the major at least every semester.

Transfer Student: 

Students should contact the Undergraduate Program Director as soon as possible about the major and course selection. Most often transfer students begin with courses numbered 200 and above, take placement tests, or meet with national language programs to pursue language study immediately.

Summary of Requirements for the Major

Minimum total # of credits required: 40-46 (depends on track)

  • 6 courses in COMP-LIT, including COMP-LIT 394HI "The History of Literary Criticism"
  • Junior-Year Writing (majors are strongly encouraged to take Junior-Year Writing in Comparative Literature, COMP-LIT 357); this course is a General Education requirement and does not count towards the courses required for the major.
  • At least four of the Comp Lit courses taken towards the major must be at the 300 level or above. One 100-level and one 200-level course or two 200-level courses may be counted towards the major.

Distribution of the remaining credits required to complete the major depends on which of the four tracks listed below is chosen by the student:

  1. General Language/Literature
    • 4 upper-level courses in the first literature (may be English)
    • 3 upper-level courses in the second literature
  2. Advanced Language/Literature
    • 3 upper-level courses in the first literature
    • 3 upper-level courses in the second literature
    • 2 elementary courses in the third language
  3. Three Literatures
    • 3 upper-level courses in the first literature
    • 2 upper-level courses in the second literature
    • 2 upper-level courses in the third literature
  4. Literature and a Related Discipline (e.g. linguistics, political science, film, history, music, religion, sociology, philosophy, art history, etc.).
    • 3 upper-level courses in the major literature
    • 2 upper-level courses in the second literature
    • 4 upper-level courses in the related discipline

For more details and information about what counts as an "upper-level course," please consult the Undergraduate Program Director.

Is there a minor? If so what are the requirements?
Fifteen credits in Comparative Literature courses, with no more than two courses at the 200 level.  The remaining credits must be from 300-level or higher courses. Proficiency in one language other than English is required; normally, this means completing a course at the 240 level or equivalent (see Undergraduate Program Director with any questions about this requirement).

For further information, contact:
Professor Jessica Barr
Undergraduate Program Director
405 Herter Hall; (413) 545-5618
jbarr@umass.edu
www.umass.edu/complit/