Comparative Literature & Translation Studies

The Program in Comparative Literature and Translation Studies promotes an active interest in the way different national literatures show affinities or mark cultural differences across geographical boundaries. By systematically juxtaposing texts or similar aesthetic manifestations in multiple languages, students and scholars in this field enter into dialogue with other cultures, traditions, disciplines, media, or forms of art. Such study often relates literary expressions to each other by focusing on the common ground or important differences; or it tracks the influence of works of literature from different languages through historical epochs or artistic movements. This way of studying literature in world contexts entails keen awareness of the necessity, including the merits and constraints--of translations of literature from the source languages.

Students who want to study literature of all periods and regions from a “comparative” perspective typically begin by learning at least one foreign language. The comparative nature of the discipline requires students to choose a second language, which can be another foreign language or English.  Students can begin taking introductory core courses alongside their study of languages.  By their junior year, students should already have completed courses on the intermediate level of language acquisition so they can proceed to take literature courses at the advanced level in different language and literature tracks, e.g., French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Russian, etc.  Through careful selection of electives and required courses, students acquire a set of skills that allows them to compare literary texts from a theoretically informed perspective and to perform the analytical tasks necessary to plan and develop independently a writing project on the advanced level of language proficiency.

Since the founding of the program at Barnard College in 1994, Comparative Literature and Translation Studies has evolved to include not only Western and ancient languages but Asian languages and non-traditional fields of cultural expression as well. The program, in close cooperation with the various literature departments and programs, offers a wide array of courses in literature, literary theory, and translation studies and translation theory, along with courses on relations between literature and the other arts.

Studying Comparative Literature means to establish new relationships across and among different disciplines, languages and regions of the world. Students benefit from the rewards of a program that builds on its curricular diversity and a dedicated faculty who make themselves available throughout the semester. As members of a small-sized department, all faculty and undergraduates enjoy frequent opportunities for close contact in and outside of the classroom.