Comparative Literature, MA

Location(s): Main Campus

The graduate program provides qualified students with a framework for studying a broad range of literatures, for exploring literature and other arts, and for pursuing translation studies or other forms of interdisciplinary inquiry. In addition to the body of knowledge and methodology appropriate to their individual programs of study, students are expected to acquire a considerable familiarity with world literature and with literary theory and criticism. Students work closely with the departmental director of graduate studies to formulate a curriculum that meets their needs and maintains the standards of the discipline. While the normal requirements for the MA are described below, students may have certain courses waived because of their previous training or professional goals.

The Master of Arts degree program introduces students to the comparative study of literature, to interdisciplinary studies involving literature, and to the theory and practice of literary translation. Essential to the programs is the acquisition of the critical tools required by comparative literary studies, as well as the development of the ability to do graduate work in at least two literatures.

The department offers two tracks for the master’s degree: Plan A is the standard program, which often leads to PhD study, and Plan B is a vocationally-oriented translation studies degree, which must be pursued in conjunction with a graduate certificate in translation. The completion of Plans A and B both typically take at least three semesters of coursework.

Admission Requirements

To be admitted to the program, students must have a BA (or equivalent) and show potential for graduate work. Students are also expected to be able to do graduate-level work in one or more foreign languages, as they will make substantial use of the foreign languages they command in their courses.

International students who have not received a degree in the United States or another English-speaking country as defined by the Graduate School are required to submit proof of English proficiency, such as Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or PTE Academic scores. The minimum TOEFL score for admission to the Department of Comparative Literature is 100.

Program Requirements

Course Requirements

Plan A: Standard

Students pursuing the MA in Comparative Literature (Plan A) must complete 32 credits of graduate coursework, which includes:

COLI 592 Proseminar (4 credits)
First literature (12-16 credits)
Second literature or minor (8-12 credits)
Electives (4-8 credits)

Plan B: Translation Studies

Students pursuing the MA in Comparative Literature (Plan B) must complete 32 credits of graduate coursework, which includes:

COLI 592 Proseminar (4 credits)
COLI 572 and 573 Translation Workshops (8 credits)
COLI 580A / TRIP 580A Intro to Translation Studies, or other Translation Studies seminar (4 credits)
Linguistics, language theory or history as suited to individual program needs (8 credits)
Literature in source languages (two courses) (8 credits)

Foreign Language Requirement

All students, before completing the degree, must demonstrate proficiency in a language other than English.

Examination

Students who wish to qualify for study toward the doctorate must achieve a grade of B+ or better on all sections of the examinations. A grade of B or better on each section constitutes a passing grade.

Plan A:

Students following Plan A take a written examination and submit a portfolio with their work. This take-home written examination is based on the MA reading list, available in the office of the department. The reading list is divided into sections (timeframes). Students choose three to four titles from each, totaling a number of 20 titles, on the condition that their overall choice reflects diversity in both genre and scope. Reading lists are subject to approval by the examiners. Students will receive three to four questions (possibly including sub-questions) that are to be addressed over the course of a 72-hour weekend in the form of coherent and well-informed three- to five-page mini-essays (double space, standard formatting).

The portfolio is subdivided into three components: a writing sample, a syllabus and a professional CV. It is due the same Monday as the take-home exam but can be put together in advance. For the writing sample, students revise and (if needed) expand one of their own term papers to article length (ca. 25 pp.). The faculty member to whom the paper was initially submitted will collaborate with the examiners in assessing the revision. The original paper (and the instructor’s feedback, if available) should be submitted to the examiners, along with the revised version. The portfolio further contains a syllabus for the examinee’s ideal course on world or comparative literature, along with a brief (one to two page) rationale. The format of the professional CV is variable and the grading is P/F. These examinations are given in November, and, when necessary, also in April; they may be repeated once.

Plan B:

Students following Plan B take the same written examination in comparative literature. Instead of submitting a portfolio, Plan B students take written exams in translation theory and copyright, which are due on the same weekend as the literature exam, as well as a translation practice exam. The translation practice exam must be scheduled for the first week of April at the University Testing Center. Students may use two dictionaries, one of them online; however, they may not use online translation tools, such as Google Translate. The TRIP coordinator will schedule the translation practice exam. The process of scheduling begins early in the spring semester when students approach a faculty member to ask them to serve as their examiner; by mid-March, students must be ready to inform the TRIP coordinator that they plan to take the translation practice exam in April and who their examiner is.

Additional Information About the Program

For more information on the Comparative Literature MA program, please refer to the Comparative Literature website for more information. To apply to the Comparative Literature MA program, please visit the University Admissions website.