Major in World Literatures

This major gives students an opportunity to explore the literary heritage of the world’s different regions. Students will investigate the scope of the world’s literatures in their broad dimensions and in different time periods. The major offers students background knowledge pertinent to understanding cross-cultural relations, both within the United States and globally.
            The major responds to students’ interests in studies of culture by broadening the scope of the program to include discussions of diverse aspects of culture, from traditional investigations of literature to analyses of popular culture, as well as different genres and discourses. Investigating the complex analyses of society as expressed in the literary heritage of different cultures allows students to reflect upon the connection between politics, the economy, and culture in specific historical moments and specific geopolitical places.
            The World Literatures major does not include a foreign language requirement (beyond the ASC requirement), and students will be able to choose courses from the extensive inventory of literature courses taught in English that distinguishes the College of Humanities. Students are encouraged, however, to take literature courses taught in the original language. This major is an interdepartmental program, drawing on courses taught in various academic units of the College of Humanities.

The World Literatures major requires 55 credits:

    * three courses in Comparative Studies that introduce students to historical, practical, and theoretical questions involved in the study of diverse literary traditions
    * eight literature courses taken in departments across the College of Humanities. Students must take at least one course representing each of five world regions (Africa, the Middle East, Europe/North America, Latin America/Caribbean, and East and South Asia/Pacific). Students may take no more than a total of two courses at the 200 level and three courses at the 300 level.

The following courses are required (15 credit hours):

Comp St. 273 Introduction to World Literature
Comp St. 373 Translating Literatures and Cultures
Comp St. 573 World Literature: Theory and Practice (capstone course)

Distribution Requirement (40 credit hours):

All five geo-political regions must be represented by at least one course (25 credit hours) and three regions must each be represented by two courses (15 credit hours). One cross-cultural course may be substituted, but each of the five regions must be represented by at least one course.

The five regions are:
Africa
Middle East
Europe/North America
Latin America/Caribbean
East and South Asia/Pacific

Required courses:

CS 273 _______________

CS 373 _______________

CS 573 _______________

Electives:

• Students may take no more than a total of two courses at the 200 level and three courses at the 300 level (one 200-level in addition to 273, two 300-level in addition to 373; that is, at least five courses at 400-, 500-, and 600-levels, in addition to 573)

• Honors students are asked to select in upper-division level elective courses

• One cross-cultural course may be substituted, but each of the five regions must be represented by at least one course.

• After your introductory courses, take upper-level courses whenever possible

• To plan your course of study, please contact Nina Berman (berman.58) or Marge Lynd (lynd.1)

If you have questions, contact Nina Berman (berman.58) or Marge Lynd (lynd.1)