Program Overview

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Comparative Literature (PhD)

Overview

The Department of Comparative Literature at New York University examines the range of literature, its transmission, and its dynamic traversal of linguistic, geographic, cultural, political, and disciplinary boundaries. Students adopt a global perspective and interdisciplinary outlook as they pursue work in various languages, traditions, and academic fields. Faculty members offer courses embracing the ancient and modern periods of world literature, exploring critical, theoretical, and historical issues, as well as problems of representation in the broadest sense.

Program Description

The PhD program in Comparative Literature is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in the field, including the study of literature, theory, and criticism. The program is committed to hosting relevant, boundary-breaking, and thought-provoking events, and graduate students play a vital role in the life of the department. The department admits an average of six fully-funded students a year into its doctoral program, providing an intimate intellectual setting in which students work closely with core faculty while exploring the considerable resources offered by other NYU departments and by universities participating in the Inter-University Doctoral Consortium.

Admissions

All applicants to the Graduate School of Arts and Science (GSAS) are required to submit the general application requirements, which include:

• Academic Transcripts
• Test Scores (if required)
• Applicant Statements
• Résumé or Curriculum Vitae
• Letters of Recommendation
• A non-refundable application fee

Program Requirements

The PhD requires students to successfully complete 72 credits of coursework, of which 40 credits are in Comparative Literature, and 32 credits are outside of the department as electives relevant to the student's research and teaching goals. The course list includes:

• COLIT-GA 1400: Sem in Lit:Rsch Mthds Tchnqs (4 credits)
• COLIT-GA 2000: Advanced Writing Seminar (8 credits, taken twice in two consecutive terms)
• One course in literature and/or theory from a non-U.S./Western European context (4 credits)
• One literary criticism/theory class before 1800 (4 credits)
• One contemporary (20th century) literary criticism/theory course (4 credits)
• One pre-1800 literature course (4 credits)
• Other Elective Credits (44 credits)
• Total Credits (72 credits)

Additional Program Requirements

Foreign Language Proficiency

Students must prove proficiency in three non-English languages or two non-English languages and, substituting for the third language, three doctoral-level courses in a nonliterary discipline.

Qualifying Paper

Once a student has completed 32 credits of coursework, a qualifying paper must be submitted to and approved by a committee of two faculty members.

Comprehensive Exams (Written and Oral)

Students are required to pass a comprehensive exam, which consists of a comprehensive, written take-home examination on three topics chosen by the candidate, in consultation with a faculty committee.

Master of Philosophy (MPhil)

Students are required to complete all coursework, language requirements, the qualifying paper, and the comprehensive exams before the end of their fourth summer in the program. Students are awarded a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) upon completion of all coursework and requirements (aside from dissertation and defense) and move to the dissertation writing stage of the program as doctoral candidates.

Dissertation Defense, Submission and Approval

Students must successfully defend their dissertation and submit it for approval.

Departmental Approval

All Graduate School of Arts & Science doctoral candidates must be approved for graduation by their department for the degree to be awarded.

Sample Plan of Study

The sample plan of study includes: 1st Semester/Term:

• COLIT-GA 1400: Sem in Lit:Rsch Mthds Tchnqs (4 credits)
• Other Elective Credits (12 credits) 2nd Semester/Term:
• Other Elective Credits (16 credits) 3rd Semester/Term:
• Other Elective Credits (16 credits) 4th Semester/Term:
• Other Elective Credits (16 credits) 5th Semester/Term:
• COLIT-GA 2000: Advanced Writing Seminar (4 credits) 6th Semester/Term:
• COLIT-GA 2000: Advanced Writing Seminar (4 credits)

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will have:

1. Detailed and comparative knowledge of at least two national or linguistic traditions.
2. A sophisticated theoretical approach to the interpretation of literary and artistic forms.
3. The ability to conduct original research in original languages leading to the design and implementation of a significant contribution to the field.

Policies

NYU Policies

University-wide policies can be found on the New York University Policy pages.

Graduate School of Arts and Science Policies

Academic Policies for the Graduate School of Arts and Science can be found on the Academic Policies page.