Academic Program in Comparative Literature

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.

Students must take at least one 400-level course in a world language taught in the original language such as French, Spanish, or Russian. For the following four languages, the required level is 300: 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.