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
- Chair/Director
- Geoffrey BenningtonP6733772Asa Griggs Candler Professor of Modern French Though
Education
- BA, University of Oxford, 1978
- MA, University of Oxford, 1978
- DPhil, University of Oxford, 1984
Departments
- French and Italian Studies, Core Faculty
- Comparative Literature, Core Faculty
Academic Interests
- modern French literature and thought
- eighteenth-century novel
- literary theory
- Director of Undergraduate Studies
- Elena Glazov-CorriganP7163263Associate Professor
Education
- BA, Dalhousie University, 1977
- MA, Dalhousie University, 1979
- MA, Dalhousie University, 1980
- PhD, University of Toronto, 1989
Departments
- Russian and East Asian Languages and Cultures, Core Faculty
- Comparative Literature, Core Faculty
Academic Interests
- literary/ critical theory
- twentieth-century Russian literature
- Shakespeare and the English Renaissance
- Core Faculty
- Geoffrey BenningtonP6733772Asa Griggs Candler Professor of Modern French Though
Education
- BA, University of Oxford, 1978
- MA, University of Oxford, 1978
- DPhil, University of Oxford, 1984
Departments
- French and Italian Studies, Core Faculty
- Comparative Literature, Core Faculty
Academic Interests
- modern French literature and thought
- eighteenth-century novel
- literary theory
Munia BhaumikP5221656Assistant ProfessorEducation
- PhD, University of California-Berkeley, 2012
Department
- Comparative Literature, Core Faculty
Shoshana FelmanP4349344Robert W. Woodruff Professor of Comparative Literature & FrenchEducation
- Ph.D, University of Grenoble (France), 1970
Departments
- Comparative Literature, Core Faculty
- French and Italian Studies, Core Faculty
Academic Interests
- Nineteenth- and twentieth-century French and comparative literature
- psychoanalysis
- philosophical approaches to literature
- trauma and testimony
- law and finance
Elena Glazov-CorriganP7163263Associate ProfessorEducation
- BA, Dalhousie University, 1977
- MA, Dalhousie University, 1979
- MA, Dalhousie University, 1980
- PhD, University of Toronto, 1989
Departments
- Russian and East Asian Languages and Cultures, Core Faculty
- Comparative Literature, Core Faculty
Academic Interests
- literary/ critical theory
- twentieth-century Russian literature
- Shakespeare and the English Renaissance
John JohnstonP2181901ProfessorEducation
- BA, Florida State University, 1973
- MA, Brooklyn College, 1976
- MPhil, Columbia University, 1979
- PhD, Columbia University, 1984
Departments
- English, Core Faculty
- Comparative Literature, Core Faculty
Academic Interests
- contemporary American and British literature
- literary theory
Elissa MarderP0956520ProfessorEducation
- BA, Cornell University, 1981
- PhD, Yale University, 1989
Departments
- French and Italian Studies, Core Faculty
- Comparative Literature, Core Faculty
Academic Interests
- French cultural studies
- feminist theory
- literature and technology
Jose QuirogaP6550405ProfessorEducation
- BA, Boston University, 1980
- MPhil, Yale University, 1987
- PhD, Yale University, 1989
Departments
- Spanish and Portuguese, Core Faculty
- Comparative Literature, Core Faculty
- Latin American and Caribbean Studies, Core Faculty
Academic Interests
- contemporary Latin American
- Latino and Caribbean studies
- contemporary poetry
- gender
Jill RobbinsP5049346ProfessorEducation
- BA, Cornell University, 1979
- MPhil, Yale University, 1982
- PhD, Yale University, 1985
Departments
- Comparative Literature, Core Faculty
- Religion, Core Faculty
Academic Interest
- comparative literature and religion
Deborah Elise WhiteP7906432Associate ProfessorEducation
- BA, Yale University, 1982
- MPhil, Yale University, 1987
- PhD, Yale University, 1993
Departments
- English, Core Faculty
- Comparative Literature, Core Faculty
Academic Interest
- romanticism and literary theory
Courses
- Comparative Literature 100-Level Courses
- CPLT 110: Intro To Literary StudiesGeneral Information
- Credit Hours
- 3
- GERs
- FWRT
- Variable GER
- None
Course DescriptionAn introduction to literary studies, combined with an intensive writing approach. From the broad perspective of world literature, consideration of topics such as desire, language, and identity. Fulfills the first-year writing requirement.
Contact Hour Information- Course Type
- Lecture
- Weekly Contact Minutes
- 150
- Additional Course Plus Component
- Not Applicable
- CPLT 190: Fresh Sem: LiteratureGeneral Information
- Credit Hours
- 3
- GERs
- FSEM
- Variable GER
- None
Course DescriptionContact Hour Information- Course Type
- Seminar
- Weekly Contact Minutes
- 150
- Additional Course Plus Component
- Not Applicable
- Comparative Literature 200-Level Courses
- CPLT 201: Maj Texts: Ancient To MedievalGeneral Information
- Credit Hours
- 3
- GERs
- HAP
- Variable GER
- None
Course DescriptionRepresentative works from the Bible, ancient Greek and Roman literature, and European literature of the Middle Ages. Emphasis on close reading of particular texts; all readings in English. Fulfills the post-freshman writing requirement.
Contact Hour Information- Course Type
- Lecture
- Weekly Contact Minutes
- 150
- Additional Course Plus Component
- Not Applicable
- CPLT 201W: Maj Texts: Ancient To MedievalGeneral Information
- Credit Hours
- 4
- GERs
- HAPW
- Variable GER
- None
Course DescriptionRepresentative works from the Bible, ancient Greek and Roman literature, and European literature of the Middle Ages. Emphasis on close reading of particular texts; all readings in English. Fulfills the post-freshman writing requirement.
Contact Hour Information- Course Type
- Lecture
- Weekly Contact Minutes
- 150
- Additional Course Plus Component
- Not Applicable
- Writing Requirement
- Yes
- CPLT 202: Maj Texts: Renaiss To ModernGeneral Information
- Credit Hours
- 3
- GERs
- HAP
- Variable GER
- None
Course DescriptionRepresentative works of European and American literature from the sixteenth to the twentieth century in different genres. Emphasis on close reading of particular texts; all readings in English. Fulfills the post-freshman writing requirement.
Contact Hour Information- Course Type
- Lecture
- Weekly Contact Minutes
- 150
- Additional Course Plus Component
- Not Applicable
- CPLT 202W: Maj Texts: Renaiss To ModernGeneral Information
- Credit Hours
- 4
- GERs
- HAPW
- Variable GER
- None
Course DescriptionRepresentative works of European and American literature from the sixteenth to the twentieth century in different genres. Emphasis on close reading of particular texts; all readings in English. Fulfills the post-freshman writing requirement.
Contact Hour Information- Course Type
- Lecture
- Weekly Contact Minutes
- 150
- Additional Course Plus Component
- Not Applicable
- Writing Requirement
- Yes
- CPLT 203R: Literatures Beyond The CanonGeneral Information
- Credit Hours
- 3
- GERs
- HAP
- Variable GER
- None
Course DescriptionTexts of popular culture and literary works of ethnic minorities, non-Western writers, and women. Attention to the relationship of these writings to traditional literary forms and content. Fulfills the post-freshman writing requirement.
Contact Hour Information- Course Type
- Lecture
- Weekly Contact Minutes
- 150
- Additional Course Plus Component
- Not Applicable
- CPLT 203RW: Literatures Beyond The CanonGeneral Information
- Credit Hours
- 4
- GERs
- HAPW
- Variable GER
- None
Course DescriptionTexts of popular culture and literary works of ethnic minorities, non-Western writers, and women. Attention to the relationship of these writings to traditional literary forms and content. Fulfills the post-freshman writing requirement.
Contact Hour Information- Course Type
- Lecture
- Weekly Contact Minutes
- 150
- Additional Course Plus Component
- Not Applicable
- Writing Requirement
- Yes
- Comparative Literature 300-Level Courses
- CPLT 301: Meth of Liter InterpretationGeneral Information
- Credit Hours
- 3
- GERs
- HAP
- Variable GER
- None
Course DescriptionAn introduction to a specific method of literary criticism or theoretical approach as applied through close textual interpretations. Fulfills GER Advanced Seminar.
Contact Hour Information- Course Type
- Seminar
- Weekly Contact Minutes
- 150
- Additional Course Plus Component
- Not Applicable
- CPLT 302: Literary TheoryGeneral Information
- Credit Hours
- 3
- GERs
- HAP
- Variable GER
- None
Course DescriptionLearning to read literature from a theoretical viewpoint, its formal properties, distinctive features, origins, purposes, and mode of existence; representative critics and schools from contemporary and earlier periods. Fulfills GER Advanced Seminar.
Contact Hour Information- Course Type
- Seminar
- Weekly Contact Minutes
- 150
- Additional Course Plus Component
- Not Applicable
- CPLT 317: Vergil and DanteGeneral Information
- Credit Hours
- 3
- GERs
- HAP
- Variable GER
- None
Course DescriptionReading of Vergil's Aeneid and Dante's Divine Comedy in English translation.
Contact Hour Information- Course Type
- Seminar
- Weekly Contact Minutes
- 150
- Additional Course Plus Component
- Not Applicable
- CPLT 317W: Vergil and DanteGeneral Information
- Credit Hours
- 4
- GERs
- HAPW
- Variable GER
- None
Course DescriptionReading of Vergil's Aeneid and Dante's Divine Comedy in English translation.
Contact Hour Information- Course Type
- Seminar
- Weekly Contact Minutes
- 150
- Additional Course Plus Component
- Not Applicable
- Writing Requirement
- Yes
- CPLT 333: Lit & Other DisciplinesGeneral Information
- Credit Hours
- 3
- GERs
- HAP
- Variable GER
- None
Course DescriptionA study of literary texts and their complex interplay with other disciplines (e.g., literature and psychoanalysis, literature and philosophy, literature and law, and literature and religion).
Contact Hour Information- Course Type
- Lecture
- Weekly Contact Minutes
- 150
- Additional Course Plus Component
- Not Applicable
- CPLT 389: Special Topics: LiteratureGeneral Information
- Credit Hours
- 3
- GERs
- None
- Variable GER
- None
Course DescriptionLively topical or theoretical approaches to a given set of literary texts or problems. May be repeated for credit when subject varies. Fulfills the post-freshman writing requirement.
Contact Hour Information- Course Type
- Lecture
- Weekly Contact Minutes
- 150
- Additional Course Plus Component
- Not Applicable
- CPLT 389W: Special Topics: LiteratureGeneral Information
- Credit Hours
- 4
- GERs
- WRT
- Variable GER
- None
Course DescriptionLively topical or theoretical approaches to a given set of literary texts or problems. May be repeated for credit when subject varies. Fulfills the post-freshman writing requirement.
Contact Hour Information- Course Type
- Lecture
- Weekly Contact Minutes
- 150
- Additional Course Plus Component
- Not Applicable
- Writing Requirement
- Yes
- Comparative Literature 400-Level Courses
- CPLT 489: Advanced Special TopicsGeneral Information
- Credit Hours
- 3
- GERs
- None
- Variable GER
- None
Course DescriptionThis course is designed to give advanced students the opportunity to investigate intensively an area of special interest. A reading knowledge of one foreign language is prerequisite. Topics may vary, but the goal of the course remains unchanged: the courses focuses on contemporary literary theory.
Contact Hour Information- Course Type
- Lecture
- Weekly Contact Minutes
- 150
- CPLT 489W: Advanced Special TopicsGeneral Information
- Credit Hours
- 4
- GERs
- WRT
- Variable GER
- None
Course DescriptionThis course is designed to give advanced students the opportunity to investigate intensively an area of special interest. A reading knowledge of one foreign language is prerequisite. Topics may vary, but the goal of the course remains unchanged: the courses focuses on contemporary literary theory.
Contact Hour Information- Course Type
- Lecture
- Weekly Contact Minutes
- 150
- Writing Requirement
- Yes
- CPLT 490R: Lit Proseminar for MajorsGeneral Information
- Credit Hours
- 3
- GERs
- HAP
- Variable GER
- None
Course DescriptionA seminar devoted to the intensive close reading of literary and other texts.
Contact Hour Information- Course Type
- Seminar
- Weekly Contact Minutes
- 150
- Additional Course Plus Component
- Not Applicable
- CPLT 495R: Honors ThesisGeneral Information
- Credit Hours
- 3
- GERs
- None
- Variable GER
- None
Course DescriptionPrerequisite: approval of the Director of Undergraduate Studies. Open to candidates for honors in their senior year.
Contact Hour Information- Course Type
- Independent Honors research
- Weekly Contact Minutes
- 150
- Additional Course Plus Component
- Not Applicable
- CPLT 495RW: Honors ThesisGeneral Information
- Credit Hours
- 1 - 8
- GERs
- None
- Variable GER
- None
Course DescriptionPrerequisite: approval of the Director of Undergraduate Studies. Open to candidates for honors in their senior year.
Contact Hour Information- Course Type
- Independent Honors research
- Weekly Contact Minutes
- variable
- Additional Course Plus Component
- Not Applicable
- Writing Requirement
- Yes
- CPLT 497R: Supervised ReadingGeneral Information
- Credit Hours
- 1 - 4
- GERs
- None
- Variable GER
- None
Course DescriptionDirected studies of special topics in literature. Open to students with consent of instructor and approval of the Director of Undergraduate Studies.
Contact Hour Information- Course Type
- Directed study
- Weekly Contact Minutes
- variable
- Additional Course Plus Component
- Not Applicable
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.
For more information, see Honors Program | Academic Policies & Regulations.
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.
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