The B.A. in Comparative Literature trains you to think in original and exciting ways about the relationship between literatures, media, the arts, ideas, and the cultures and environments that produce them. By providing opportunities to make innovative connections across the full range of human arts and experiences, comparative literature prepares you for a globalized world.

When pursuing a major in Comparative Literature, you study in the company of award-winning faculty with diverse backgrounds in comparative literature, literary translation, literature, and a variety of other academic disciplines.

This degree path includes courses that explore relationships between the literatures of many cultures, and among literature, film and media, the visual arts, architecture, music and other performance arts. You also explore connections between other academic disciplines such as philosophy, history, religious studies, cultural studies, the sciences, and more.

The B.A. in Comparative Literature helps you develop skills that prepare you for a wide range of careers. As you do so, you engage in deeply meaningful ways with your chosen languages, literatures, and cultures.

The Comparative Literature major offers two tracks. When considering which route to take, look at the requirements in the College Undergraduate Bulletin. Consider your current strengths and weaknesses, and think about the opportunities you will have to develop your current abilities and acquire new skills.

Language and Literature, the first option, requires at least one advanced course that includes the study of a foreign literature in the original language. If you have or will acquire strong foreign-language skills during your undergraduate years, this track may be for you. Since most graduate programs expect students to be proficient in multiple foreign languages, this track is strongly recommended for students planning to pursue graduate study in comparative literature.

Interdisciplinary Study of Literature, the second option, requires at least one advanced course in a discipline that complements your comparative literature studies, paired with an advanced comparative literature course that brings together literature and your chosen discipline. In consultation with the Director of Undergraduate Studies, you select your paired courses and write a proposal explaining their suitability for the interdisciplinary track, for approval by the department’s Undergraduate Affairs Committee. Please note that the outside course must be taken on the Bloomington campus.

Many departments and programs offer courses suitable for this option. They include but are not limited to Anthropology, Gender Studies, History, History and Philosophy of Science and Medicine, History of Art, Music, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychological and Brain Sciences, Religious Studies, and Theatre, Drama and Contemporary Dance.

Learn more about our B.A. in the Student Portal