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Comparative Literature Department
This undergraduate major enables students to explore a wide range of world literatures in translation as well as in their original languages. A group of core courses provides an awareness of traditional and nontraditional literary histories and a grasp of the theoretical principles underlying the definition of literature and the interpretation of literary texts. Higher level courses allow students to focus more closely on interdisciplinary areas and topics of special interest, choosing from a wide array of courses in different departments as well as courses offered in Comparative Literature. The foreign language requirement guarantees that students will pursue the study of a foreign language to a level at which they can read significant literary texts written in that language. The ultimate goal of the program is to foster skills in close reading and methodological self-reflection.
Faculty
Core Faculty
- Maximilian Aue
- Deepika Bahri
- Angelika Bammer
- Geoffrey Bennington
- R Branham
- Mikhail Epstein
- Shoshana Felman
- John Johnston
- Candace Lang
- Valerie Loichot
- Elissa Marder
- Andrew Mitchell
- Karla Oeler
- Jose Quiroga
- Walter Reed
- Jill Robbins
- Deborah Elise White
Associated Faculty
- Mark Bauerlein
- Alice Benston
- Peter Bing
- Martine Brownley
- Rong Cai
- Elena Glazov-Corrigan
- Shalom Goldman
- Elizabeth Goodstein
- Lynne Huffer
- Dalia Judovitz
- Claire Nouvet
- Louise Pratt
- Eric Reinders
- Stephen White
Adjunct Faculty
Emeriti Faculty
Courses
Programs
Honors Program
To receive honors in comparative literature, eligible students select an adviser from the faculty of one of the participating literature departments, based on the student’s interest and the director’s expertise. Honors candidates are expected to enroll in an appropriate course of directed study (Comparative Literature 495R, offered during both semesters of the senior year) for methodological guidance while writing the thesis. In the fall semester, the student must take Comparative Literature 490R, designed as a graduate-level course for seniors in the Department of Comparative Literature, or (with the thesis director’s and the instructor’s approval) a graduate course relevant to the student’s thesis. Honors students must complete an honors thesis and defend the thesis in an oral examination. In addition to the adviser, the committee members will include one other member from the comparative literature department and one other examiner who is not a member of the program.
See “Honors Program” under the curriculum section of the catalog and consult the department for further details.
General Honors Program information.
Study Abroad
Majors in comparative literature are encouraged to pursue a course of study in any of the Emory Study Abroad Programs (summer, semester, or yearlong). The department gives credit toward the major for two courses under the foreign language requirement and three courses in literature in the original language.
General Study Abroad information.