Comparative Literature - Oberlin College

Comparative Literature from Oberlin College is a Campus Bachelor Literature degree that prepares you for a Liberal Arts career. Department Overview Comparative literature is a robust interdisciplinary program with a faculty and curriculum developed from the humanities, arts, and social sciences. Comparative literature enables students with sufficient literary backgrounds and linguistic preparation to pursue their interests in literature , theory, and criticism across the boundaries of language, nation, culture, artistic medium, genre, and historical period. This approach reflects the curricular strengths of the college, including these important areas of the discipline: Literary Theory Literature and the Other Arts East-West Studies European Languages and Literatures Translation Comparative literature is ideal for English and double majors, as it requires focused and in-depth study of a subject as well as a commitment to literature . Majors have the freedom to explore, read, compare, and critique literature from many genres, historical periods, and cultures. The range includes the traditional 19th century novel as well as folklore and opera, comic books, the graphic novel, and science fiction. As a comparative literature major, you will learn to ?think sideways,? or ?think outside the box? by developing skills that help you to write well, analyze, appraise, compare, and question. You?ll also develop a keen appreciation for art and literature from many cultures. These skills bode well for those with career interests as book reviewers, journalists, literature or English professors, translators, librarians, and public and private school educators. Curriculum Overview Comparative literature offers coursework for the major and minor. Students with an interest in the discipline should consult early on with their advisor and the program director to define an individual area of emphasis or inquiry. Majors are able to shape their course of study from a wide range of possible material. Because many different programs and departments contribute courses for the major and minor, advising plays an especially important role in student planning. Be sure to talk with the program director and or department staff if you are interested in this field of study. You may also use our planning sheet to assist in this process. Students must take at least one 400-level course in a foreign language taught in the original language such as French, Spanish, or Russian, and a 300-level course in Greek, Latin, Chinese, or Japanese. Several courses presented for the major might focus on a specific period or movement (the Renaissance, modernism, surrealism), a genre (tragedy, lyric poetry), a problem (literature and the other arts, translation) or an approach (feminism, post-structuralism). Outside of the classroom, majors and others may attend our Translation Symposium and Lecture that brings in prominent comparatists to share their works and observations. Guest lecturers are also available to assist you in your study of a wide variety of literary works and learn about challenging, contemporary issues. We encourage students to study abroad for a semester or a year in one of the many Oberlin-affiliated programs. Study abroad will enhance your understanding of literature as it relates to language and culture. View more details on Oberlin College . Ask your questions and apply online for this program or find other related Literature courses.