Comparative Literature Major

Early in their program of study and in consultation with the comparative literature major adviser, students choose to take courses and write their thesis in one of the following areas of study:

  • Literature across the languages
  • Literature and diaspora studies
  • Literature and the humanities, sciences or social sciences (e.g., anthropology, philosophy, political science or the natural sciences among others)
  • Literature and film or media
  • Literature and the creative arts
  • Comparative theories
Course Title Credits
Major Requirements
One of the following classes
COLI 3000
Literary Theories
ENGL 3000
Literary Theories
ENGL 3045
Theory for English Majors
Electives
Select at least two comparative literature courses numbered COLI 3001 or above
Select at least two foreign language and literature electives 1
Select up to three elective courses (3000 and above) chosen from among cross-listed courses from other departments 2
Capstone
A senior capstone seminar (4000 and above), open to juniors with permission. This capstone course varies in topic, and has a seminar format and a strong theoretical component
Thesis
COLI 4998Senior Thesis Tutorial in Comparative Literature (All majors are required to write a thesis under the direction of an adviser and a second reader.) 34
1

Any two courses (normally in the same language) offered by the departments of Languages and Cultures (listed here) or Classical Languages and Civilization (listed here) numbered 2500 and above. These courses will allow the students to demonstrate an ability to read and analyze literary texts written in a language other than English.

2

(e.g., African and African American studies, communication and media studies, English, history, languages and cultures, philosophy, political science, visual arts) or interdisciplinary programs (e.g., Latin American and Latino studies, Medieval studies, urban studies, women's studies) appropriate to the student’s program of study or concentration.

3

Proposals must be approved at the end of the student's junior year.

In addition, in their senior year students participate in the Senior Project Roundtable, which offers them the opportunity to present and discuss their final projects in a public forum with faculty and students from comparative literature and other disciplines.

Majors are encouraged to pursue a study abroad program, usually in their junior year. It is strongly recommended that students who plan to pursue graduate work in comparative literature develop a reading knowledge in a second foreign language.

Comparative literature majors may take courses at Fordham School of Professional and Continuing Studies at Lincoln Center only if these courses are offered under the COLI subject, or are officially cross-listed.

Learning Goals

Students who major in comparative literature will be able to:

  • Goal A 
    • 1. Understand and interpret a wide variety of cultural artifacts from across the globe—from poems and films to memes—in their wider historical, political, linguistic, and aesthetic contexts using the methods learned from multiple academic disciplines.
    • 2. Cultivate curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking about the diversity of human cultural production and to understand and practice the arts of interpretation and criticism for the ends of social justice.
  • Goal B
    • 1. Interpret a literary text or other cultural artifact in a non-native target language and to develop advanced skills in order to compare texts from a variety of different traditions, genres, periods, and geographic areas; and concurrently to consider the role of translation in the production of textual and cultural meaning when reading or engaging cultural artifacts.
    • 2. Develop original research displaying engagement with critical theories, clear knowledge of research protocols, and interdisciplinary analysis of demonstrable significance within the field of Comparative Literature.

Availability

The major in comparative literature is available at Fordham College at Rose Hill, Fordham College at Lincoln Center, and Fordham's School of Professional and Continuing Studies at Rose Hill and Lincoln Center.

Fordham College at Rose Hill students: The requirements above are in addition to those of the Core Curriculum.

Fordham College at Lincoln Center students: The requirements above are in addition to those of the Core Curriculum.

Professional and Continuing Studies students: The requirements above are in addition to those of the PCS Core Curriculum and any additional electives that may be required to earn a minimum of 124 credits.

CIP Code

16.0104 - Comparative Literature.


You can use the CIP code to learn more about career paths associated with this field of study and, for international students, possible post-graduation visa extensions. Learn more about CIP codes and other information resources.