Program Overview
Comparative Literature
Explore literature across languages, cultures, and time while developing the analytical, communication, and intercultural skills to thrive in a global world.
Global Perspective
Study literature across cultures, languages, and historical traditions.
Design Your Own Course of Study
Work with faculty mentors to build a major that reflects your interests and goals.
Ideas Without Borders
Connect literature with history, philosophy, languages, politics, and culture.
Why study Comparative Literature at Wooster?
.svg){kind=icon}
Study one of the few undergraduate Comparative Literature majors offered by a liberal arts college.
Develop proficiency in at least one modern or classical language.
Explore literary traditions across cultures through courses taught both in translation and in their original languages.
Build a personalized interdisciplinary curriculum with close faculty mentorship.
Complete an original Independent Study that reflects your intellectual interests and prepares you for graduate study or professional careers.
Personalized Study
Every Comparative Literature major develops an individualized program in consultation with faculty advisors. Students combine comparative literature courses with coursework in national literatures, languages, and related disciplines to create a program that reflects their academic interests and career aspirations.
Explore literature across cultures.
The curriculum emphasizes:
- Comparative literary analysis
- Literary and cultural theory
- World literature
- Language study
- Interdisciplinary scholarship
- Independent research
Students interested in complementing another field of study may also pursue a Comparative Literature Minor, selecting courses from literature, languages, mythology, and classical studies.
Every major completes a two-semester Independent Study, working one-on-one with a faculty mentor to produce original scholarship on a topic of their own design.
Ready to Explore Chinese Studies at Wooster?
Study the language, explore the culture, and work closely with professors who will help you grow as a researcher, global citizen, and lifelong learner.
Career Opportunities
Comparative Literature graduates build careers in fields such as:
- Education
- Law
- Publishing
- Journalism
- International organizations
- Business
- Communications
- Cultural institutions
- Public service
Many graduates also pursue advanced study in literature, languages, law, and other humanities disciplines. Recent alumni have continued their education at institutions including Harvard Law School and Northwestern University.
