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Course Catalog

COMP_LIT 104-6 – First-Year Seminar

(1 Unit) WCAS First-Year Seminar

COMP_LIT 200-0 – Introduction to Literary Theory

(1 Unit) Key topics and debates in literary theory and criticism; how theory actively assists in building literary and cultural comparison across history, language, nation, genre, and medium. Literature & Fine Arts Distro Area

COMP_LIT 201-0 – Reading World Literature

(1 unit) Introduction to a diverse range of important works of world literature and central debates and questions about the idea of world literature. Content varies. May be repeated for credit with different topic. Literature & Fine Arts Distro Area

COMP_LIT 202-0 – Interpreting Culture

(1 Unit) Introduction to the theory and practice of interpreting cultural texts the literary and other texts through which human culture imposes structures of meaning on the world. Literature & Fine Arts Distro Area

COMP_LIT 205-0 – Reading Difference

(1 Unit) Introduction to representations of social difference in literature, criticism, film, and media. Selective emphasis on such topics as gender, sexuality, race, ethnicity, species, and ability. Content varies. Literature & Fine Arts Distro Area

COMP_LIT 207-0 – Introduction to Critical Theory

(1 Unit) Focus on the related ideas of crisis, criticism, and critique in philosophical, literary, social, political, and cultural contexts. Taught with PHIL 220; may not receive credit for both courses. Ethics & Values Distro Area

COMP_LIT 211-0 – Readings in Genre

(1 Unit) Analysis of major literary and aesthetic genres, such as epic, sacred texts, drama, lyric, visual media, and narrative. Study of particular examples, with focus on historical development, formal features, and social context. May be repeated for credit with change of topic. Literature & Fine Arts Distro Area

COMP_LIT 270-0 – Literatures in Translation

(1 Unit) Focused study of literatures from around the world offered in English translation. Literature & Fine Arts Distro Area

COMP_LIT 300-0 – Theories and Practices of Reading

(1 Unit) Theories and methods of literary and cultural interpretation. Discussion and readings will prepare students to undertake theoretically grounded projects comparing literature and other forms of cultural expression. Content varies. Literature & Fine Arts Distro Area

COMP_LIT 301-0 – Studies in World Literature

(1 Unit) Exploration of a specific body of literature, criticism, or film that cuts across conventional national or literary historical boundaries. Attention given to critical debates about world literature. Content varies. Literature & Fine Arts Distro Area

COMP_LIT 302-0 – Reading Across Disciplines

(1 Unit) Comparative cultural studies across varied media and methodologies. May address literature in relationship to environmental, legal, or public humanities; visual culture and curatorial practice; and music. Content varies. Literature & Fine Arts Distro Area

COMP_LIT 303-0 – Movements and Periods

(1 Unit) Focused study of intellectual formations belonging to a movement or period, such as Tang Dynasty, Age of Enlightenment, realism, the avant-garde, or post-WWII. Content varies. Literature & Fine Arts Distro Area

COMP_LIT 305-0 – Studies in Film, Media, and Visual Culture

(1 Unit) Focused studies in international cinema or visual and other media (e.g. Brazilian documentary, Middle East visual culture, or Bollywood film). Major theoretical issues in film and media studies. Content varies. Literature & Fine Arts Distro Area

COMP_LIT 306-0 – Studies in Race & Ethnicity

(1 Unit) Representations of comparative race and ethnicity in world literature, criticism, and film. Discussion and theoretical readings address racial and ethnic identity formation, intersection, and difference. Content varies. Literature & Fine Arts Distro Area

COMP_LIT 307-0 – Studies in Gender, Sexuality & Representation

(1 Unit) Representations of gender and sexuality in literature, film, and criticism. Global and comparative topics situated in historical, social and political contexts. Content varies. Literature & Fine Arts Distro Area

COMP_LIT 311-0 – Theory and Practice of Translation

(1 Unit) Introduction to theoretical approaches to literary translation and to the practice of poetry translation.

COMP_LIT 312-0 – Major Authors and Texts

(1 Unit) Study of a major author, text, or body of work in terms of its cultural context and critical reception. Content varies. Literature & Fine Arts Distro Area

COMP_LIT 320-SA – Critical Theory and Literary Studies

(1 Unit) Crisis and critique as they figure in literary and cultural production. This course will examine philosophical texts on critical theory and use them to read literature and the media. This is a Study Abroad course offered through the Paris Program in Critical Theory, Literature, and Media.

COMP_LIT 383-0 – Special Topics in Theory: Critical Theory

(1 Unit) For students with previous study of criticism and literary theory. Content varies. May be repeated for credit with different topic.

COMP_LIT 383-SA – Special Topics in Theory: Critical Theory

(1 Unit) For students with previous study of criticism and literary theory. Content varies. May be repeated for credit with different topic.

COMP_LIT 390-0 – Special Topics in Comparative Literature

(1 Unit) Content varies for example, problems of literary translation, literature and psychoanalysis. May be repeated for credit with different topic.

COMP_LIT 390-SA – Special Topics in Comparative Literature

(1 Unit) Content varies for example, problems of literary translation, literature and psychoanalysis. May be repeated for credit with different topic.

COMP_LIT 398-0 – Senior Seminar

(1 Unit) Tools and techniques for writing sustained scholarly essays. Required of senior majors in comparative literary studies. Prerequisite: consent of program adviser.

COMP_LIT 399-0 – Independent Study

(1 Unit) No description available.

COMP_LIT 410 – Theories of Literature

The aim of this course is to cover a wide variety of literary-theoretical work.  Each year the focus changes; it will be possible for students to re-take the class.

COMP_LIT 411 – Critical Practices

Intensive analysis of several major works on the first part of the reading list.  During this seminar students develop the set of “problems” around which the spring-quarter examination will be organized.

COMP_LIT 412 – Literary-Studies Colloquium

The aim of this course is to help first-year graduate students prepare for the examination.  At the beginning of the seminar students identify those works they would like to examine further, and this serves as the basis of the discussion.

COMP_LIT 413 – Comparative Studies in Theme

Use and variation of a literary theme (such as the journey) or technique (such as symbolism and allegory) in various times and cultures.

COMP_LIT 414 – Comparative Study in Genre

Theory and practice of a literary genre (such as epic, tragedy or the novel).

COMP_LIT 481 – Studies in Literary Theory

Central issues of criticism, exemplified by the writings of major theorists.

COMP_LIT 486 – Studies in Literature and the Disciplines

Topics in the encounter between literary studies and other culturally oriented disciplines (e.g., philosophy, history, and anthropology) with an emphasis on problems of theory and method. Content varies.

COMP_LIT 487 – Studies in Literature and the Arts

The relation between literature and the visual arts and/or music. Content varies.

COMP_LIT 488 – Special Topics in Comparative Literature

Doctoral-level course offered on a one-time basis dealing with a special topic in the field of comparative literature. Addresses a specific need within the program’s curriculum and/or a trend in the field.

COMP_LIT 490 – Independent Reading

Permission of instructor and department required.

COMP_LIT 499 – Independent Study

Permission of instructor and department required. May be repeated for credit.

COMP_LIT 590 – Research

Independent investigation of selected problems pertaining to thesis or dissertation.

COMP_LIT 596 – PhD Dissertation Tutorial

Production of a dissertation prospectus, including a statement of purpose and critical method, an outline, and bibliography.