Program Overview

Comparative Literature Program

The Comparative Literature Program offers a comprehensive and interdisciplinary approach to the study of literature, exploring various genres, themes, and cultural contexts.

About the Program

• The program provides students with a deep understanding of literary works from around the world, including their historical, cultural, and social contexts.
• Students can choose from a range of courses that focus on specific genres, such as short fiction, or explore broader themes like colonialism, science fiction, and magical realism.

Academics

• Undergraduate Program: The undergraduate program in Comparative Literature offers a major and minor, with courses that meet the SAS Core requirements.
• Graduate Program: The graduate program provides advanced training in comparative literature, with a focus on research and academic excellence.

People

• Leadership & Staff: The program is led by a team of experienced faculty and staff, including the Director of Undergraduate Studies and the Program Coordinator.
• Core Faculty: The core faculty consists of renowned scholars with expertise in various areas of comparative literature.
• Affiliated Faculty: The program also has affiliated faculty members from other departments, who contribute to the program's interdisciplinary approach.
• Lecturers: The program employs lecturers who are experts in their fields and provide additional teaching support.
• Graduate Students: Graduate students in the program are actively engaged in research and academic activities, and are an integral part of the program's community.
• Emeritus Faculty: The program has a number of emeritus faculty members who continue to contribute to the program's activities and events.

Events

• Event Calendar: The program hosts a range of events throughout the year, including faculty lectures, graduate student colloquia, and undergraduate workshops.
• Faculty Lecture Series: The faculty lecture series features talks by prominent scholars in the field of comparative literature.
• Distinguished Speaker Series: The distinguished speaker series brings renowned authors and scholars to campus to share their work and insights.
• Biennial Graduate Conference: The program hosts a biennial graduate conference, which provides a platform for graduate students to present their research.
• Undergraduate Workshops: The program offers undergraduate workshops, which provide students with the opportunity to engage with faculty and peers in a supportive and interactive environment.
• Senior Symposium: The senior symposium is a showcase of undergraduate research and creative work, and provides a platform for students to share their achievements with the academic community.

News

• Faculty News: The program publishes news and updates about faculty achievements, research, and publications.
• Graduate News: The program also publishes news and updates about graduate student achievements, research, and publications.
• Undergraduate News: The program publishes news and updates about undergraduate student achievements, research, and publications.

Magazines

• Proteus: The program publishes a magazine called Proteus, which features articles, reviews, and creative work by students and faculty.
• Comparative Literature Blog: The program also maintains a blog, which features updates, news, and reflections on comparative literature and related topics.

Alumni & Friends

• The program has a strong network of alumni and friends, who are actively engaged in supporting the program's activities and events.

Course Detail

195:135: Introduction to Short Fiction

• Course Code: 01:195:135
• Semester(s) Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer
• Credits: 3
• SAS Core Requirement: AHp
• Course Description: This course provides an introduction to the study of short fiction, exploring various genres and themes, including the city, the nation, migration and exile, colonialism, science fiction, the fantastic, magical realism, horror, mystery, and others. The course features a range of literary works from around the world, in English translation, and is designed to provide students with a deep understanding of the literary and cultural contexts of short fiction.