Comparative Literature

Directors of undergraduate studies: Moira Fradinger [fall 2024]; Samuel Hodgkin [spring 2025]; complit.yale.edu/literature-major

The Comparative Literature major allows students to address fundamental questions about the nature, function, and value of literature in a broadly comparative context. Students read and write about a wide variety of literary works across periods, genres, and national traditions. They investigate ancient and contemporary approaches to literary study, theories and methods of comparison, and the relationship of literature to film and other media. Majors have the freedom to construct a program of study that reflects their intellectual goals. All prospective majors should register with the director of undergraduate studies (DUS), who will work with them to develop a coherent sequence of courses suited to their individual interests.

The Comparative Literature major offers four unique concentrations: Literature and Comparative Cultures; Intensive Language; Film; and Literary Translation. These concentrations share the same core courses. Other courses are normally chosen from different language and literature programs, many of which offer courses on literature and film in translation. Among these programs are African American Studies, Classics, East Asian Languages and Literatures, English Language and Literature, Film and Media Studies, French, German Studies, Italian Studies, Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations, Portuguese, Slavic Languages and Literatures, and Spanish. 

Prospective majors are strongly encouraged to begin the study of a language other than English as early as possible in their academic careers and to continue such study throughout their time at Yale. All concentrations of the Comparative Literature major require students to have advanced (L5) competence in at least one language other than English. Students interested in graduate study in comparative literature should be aware that many programs require reading knowledge of two or three languages other than English.

Requirements of the Major

The Comparative Literature major requires twelve term courses, including the senior requirement and two required foundational seminars, one of which must be LITR 130 and the other may be LITR 140 or 143 or 348, depending on which concentration the student is pursuing. Beyond the two required courses and the senior essay, the major requires nine term courses, with specific requirements for each concentration. Students must choose one concentration and each concentration requires students to take two or three literature and/or film courses in a single language other than English; all have a period requirement and a theory requirement. Additionally, prospective majors must achieve an L5 in the language in which they plan to fulfill their literature requirement.

For the in-language literature requirement, students must take two or three courses (depending on the concentration) reading literature in a single language other than English. One L4 course can be counted, but the remaining courses must be taken at L5 or equivalent. Students may count non-instructional language courses (no L4 or L5 distributional designation number) in which reading knowledge of the language is a prerequisite and extensive in-language readings are assigned. With DUS permission, one of the in-language literature requirements may be fulfilled with a language course, not specifically marked as a literature or film course, that includes substantial literary readings and/or film screenings.

For the period requirement, students must take at least one course in three of five historical periods: (1) Antiquity (covering until approximately the 6th century AD); (2) Medieval (ca. 6th-15th centuries); (3) Early Modern (ca. 14th-18th centuries); (4) 19th century; and (5) 20th-21st centuries. In practice, many courses deal with texts covering several periods. A course may fulfill the requirement for any period if at least half the primary readings come from that period. For questions about which period requirements a course might fulfill consult the DUS.

For the theory requirement, students must take one course that involves a significant component of literary or cultural theory. Students who wish to know if a course, particularly those offered in other departments, may count toward this requirement should consult the DUS.

Literature and Comparative Cultures concentration

Literature and Comparative Cultures is the least constraining concentration, permitting students to plan a course of study tailored to their particular interests. Prospective majors electing the Literature and Comparative Cultures concentration must take two required foundational seminars; LITR 130 and one of LITR 140, 143, or 348. Beyond the two required courses and the senior essay, the concentration requires three in-language literature courses with readings in a language other than English, three courses that fulfill the period requirement, two elective courses, and one theory course. Period courses, elective courses, and the theory course may be taken in any literature department (including English) and may include two courses in a related discipline that has a direct bearing on the student's program of study in literature, such as history of art, philosophy, anthropology, music, or theater studies. One of the electives may be in creative writing or Directed Studies, but composition courses (ENGL 114, 115, or 120) may not be counted.  

In-language literature requirement Majors are required to take at least three literature courses with readings in a language other than English. See under Requirements of the Major for more information.

Intensive Language concentration

Prospective majors electing this concentration focus their plan of study on literature studied in two languages other than English. They must take two required foundational seminars: LITR 130 and LITR 140; three courses that fulfill the period requirement; three in-language literature courses in a single language other than English (see under Requirements of the Major for more information); two literature courses in a second language other than English; and one course that involves a significant element of literary or cultural theory.

Film Concentration

Students in the Film concentration focus their plan of study on film and media. They must take two required foundational seminars: LITR 130 and LITR 143; three courses that fulfill the period requirement; two (rather than three) in-language literature courses with readings in the same language other than English (see under Requirements of the Major for more information); three electives (which must have a FILM course number); and one course in film theory. At least one of the in-language literature courses must be at the L5 level.

Literary Translation concentration

Students in the Literary Translation concentration focus on the theory and practice of literary translation. They must take two required foundational seminars: LITR 130 and LITR 348; three courses that fulfill the period requirement; three in-language literature courses in a single language other than English, two of which must be an L5 course (see under Requirements of the Major for more information); one course in literary or cultural theory; and two courses that engage with some aspect of translation studies. The DUS can provide a list of qualifying courses.

Credit/D/Fail A maximum of two courses taken Credit/D/Fail may count toward the major, with permission of the DUS. None of the specific required courses may be taken Credit/D/Fail.

Senior Requirement

For the senior essay (LITR 491, or LITR 492, 493), students develop a research topic of their choice and work closely with a faculty adviser, preferably from the department. Normally, the essay makes use of texts in the language of their original composition. Any exceptions must be approved by the DUS. Deadlines for the prospectus, the rough draft, and the completed essay are listed on the departmental website. The initial deadline for a topic proposal signed by the thesis adviser is before the end of the previous semester, so majors should begin their search for an adviser and topic early in the spring of their junior year.

The senior essay may be written over one term (LITR 491) or over two terms (LITR 492, 493). Students with an especially well-developed project may petition to write a yearlong senior essay. Interested juniors must apply by the last day of classes in the spring term. Students may count the second term of the essay as one elective course toward the total number of courses required for the major. Students expecting to graduate in May enroll in LITR 492 during the fall term and complete their essays in LITR 493 in the spring term. December graduates enroll in LITR 492 in the spring term and complete their essays in LITR 493 during the following fall term.

Course Substitutions

A literature course taught in English translation is sometimes suitable as a non-English literature course. In such cases, majors are expected to request additional assignments from their instructors that demonstrate they have engaged with the texts in the original language. They should submit the appropriate form, signed by the instructor, attesting to their intent to do so. The department registrar or the DUS can provide this form; students should submit it to the DUS at the beginning of the semester along with their course schedule.

Non-native speakers of English who are granted permission by Yale College to complete the language distributional requirement by taking ENGL 114, 115, 120, or 450 may take a total of three English literature courses to fulfill the three in-language literature course requirements, or they may fulfill the major requirements by taking three courses in a third language.

Study Abroad 

Comparative Literature majors are encouraged to consider spending a summer, a term, or a year abroad. One course taken through international programs and approved by Yale College may, with permission of the DUS, be applied to the in-language literature requirement.

SUMMARY OF MAJOR REQUIREMENTS

Prerequisites None

Number of courses 12 term courses (incl senior requirement and concentration requirements)

Specific courses required All concentrations—LITR 130; Literature and Comparative Cultures—1 of LITR 140, 143, or 348; Intensive Language—LITR 140; Film—LITR 143 or equivalent; Literary Translation—LITR 348 or equivalent 

Distribution of courses All concentrations—3 period courses, as specified; Literature and Comparative Cultures—3 in-language literature courses, as specified, 1 course in literary or cultural theory, 2 elective courses; Intensive Language— 3 literature courses in one language, 2 literature courses in a second language, 1 course in literary or cultural theory; Film—2 in-language lit courses, 1 course in film theory; 3 electives in Film and Media Studies; Literary Translation—3 in-language literature courses, as specified, 1 course in literary or cultural theory, 2 courses in translation studies

Senior requirement One-term senior essay (LITR 491); or two-term senior essay (LITR 492 and LITR 493)

Requirements 

12 courses (12 credits), including the senior requirement and concentration requirements

Students must fulfill the requirements for 1 concentration

Students must meet advanced (L5) competence in the language in which the literature requirement is fulfilled

All Concentrations

Literature and Comparative Cultures concentration

  • 1 of LITR 140, LITR 143, or LITR 348
  • 3 literature courses in a single language other than English, 2 of which must be at L5 level
  • 1 course in literary or cultural theory
  • 2 electives

Intensive Language concentration

  • LITR 140
  • 3 literature courses in a single language other than English, 2 of which must be L5 level
  • 2 literature courses in a second language other than English, 1 of which must be L5 level
  • 1 course in literary or cultural theory

​Film concentration

  • LITR 143 or equivalent
  • 2 literature courses in a single language other than English, 1 of which must be L5 level
  • 1 course in film theory
  • 3 electives in the Film and Media Studies department

Literary Translation concentration

  • LITR 348 or equivalent 
  • 3 literature courses in a single language other than English, 2 which must be at L5 level
  • 1 course in literary or cultural theory
  • 2 courses in translation studies

The Comparative Literature program is designed for students interested in literary studies who wish to read literature in at least one language other than English, but do not want to limit their programs to a single national literature. The major allows students to develop knowledge of multiple languages and cultures, and can be the foundation of an international education.

First-year students with a broad interest in the humanities might consider the Comparative Literature major because it allows the study of literature to be combined with work in history, philosophy, art, film, and other fields. Students may also pursue particular thematic interests such as gender issues, literature’s historical context, or the religious or political dimensions of literature. The Comparative Literature major offers four unique concentrations: Literature and Comparative Cultures; Intensive Language; Film; and Literary Translation. These concentrations share the same core courses, while providing opportunity for students to explore their particular interests with the study of literature.

Because this major requires 2 or 3 non-English literature courses at an advanced level, prospective majors should begin or continue the study of their intended working language(s) in the first year. Interested students are also encouraged to take one or two survey courses in a literary tradition. The Directed Studies program is one good pathway into the major, as are the courses in the Six Pretty Good program. Other suitable entry courses include:

Students interested in the Comparative Literature major should consult the director of undergraduate studies (DUS) and review the department website.

FACULTY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF COMPARATIVE LITERATURE

Professors Dudley Andrew (Emeritus), Peter Brooks (Emeritus), Rüdiger Campe, Roberto González Echevarría (Emeritus), Martin Hägglund, Hannan Hever, Carol Jacobs (Emeritus), Pericles Lewis, David Quint (Emeritus), Ayesha Ramachandran, Shawkat Toorawa, Katie Trumpener, Jing Tsu, Jane Tylus, Jesús Velasco

Associate Professors Robyn Creswell, Marta Figlerowicz, Moira Fradinger

Assistant Professor Samuel Hodgkin

Senior Lecturers Peter Cole, Jan Hagens

Lecturers Jane Mikkelson, Candace Skorupa, George Syrimis

Affiliated Faculty R. Howard Bloch (French), Francesco Casetti (Film & Media Studies), Michael Denning (American Studies), Alice Kaplan (French), Tina Lu (East Asian Languages & Literatures), John MacKay (Slavic Languages & Literatures), Maurice Samuels (French), Ruth Yeazell (English)

See visual roadmap of the requirements.

View Courses