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Requirements for Major and Minor

Major in Comparative Literature

 

Students are required to take twelve (12) courses for the major: three (3) courses in a core sequence required of all majors, three (3) courses at the advanced level in each of two (2) languages and literary traditions, and three elective courses.

The three courses in the core sequence are: “Introduction to Comparative Literature” (always offered in the fall semester), “Topics in Comparative Literature” (always offered in the spring semester), and “Senior Seminar in Comparative Literature” (always offered in the spring semester). We recommend strongly that students take these courses in this order as they are designed to build on cumulative experience.

This major encourages, enables, and requires students to develop proficiency and familiarity in two languages and literary traditions (e.g., Spanish and Arabic, English and French, Italian and German, Chinese and French).  Students will be expected to have acquired the level of linguistic competence (beyond the intermediate level) in these languages to take three (3) courses at the advanced level (taught in the original languages, where relevant, e.g., in the French and Spanish departments, or with readings in the original languages with instruction in English, e.g., in East Asian and other languages).

Besides the three courses of the core sequence, and the six courses at the advanced in two language and literary tracks, students are required to take three (3) electives in Comparative Literature and Translation Studies, e.g., “Tragic Bodies,” “Introduction to Translation Studies, “Literature and Empire,” “Utopian Literature,” etc.  One of these courses must be a course engaging literary theory, philosophical, and critical methodological approaches to literature, e.g., “Derrida and Literature,” “Literary Theory: Imitation, Mimicry, Camp,” “Kant’s Third Critique,” etc.

A requirement in premodern literature can be fulfilled either by taking a course in one of the student’s language and literature tracks, e.g., “Chaucer,” “Major French Texts I,” “Colloquium on Major East Asian Texts,” or as an elective, e.g., “Tragic Bodies,” “Medieval Frame Narratives.”

Upon declaring the major, each student will be matched by the chair with an advisor (or advisors) most suitable for the student’s interests and the language and literature tracks of choice. This adviser guides the student in developing a sequence of courses appropriate for the major.

Students are required to take the following Twelve (12) courses:

  • CPLT BC3001: Introduction to Comparative Literature
  • One (1) course in "Topics in Comparative Literature"
  • Six Courses = Three (3) courses in each of two (2) distinct literary traditions* studied in the original language ​
  • Three (3) Elective courses in Literature, of which:
    • ​One (1) pre-modern
    • Two (2) open choices
    • These 3 courses must be comparative or theoretical in nature.
  • CPLS BC3997: Senior Seminar

Students who wish to major in Comparative Literature, but who for valid reasons wish to pursue a program at variance with the above model, should consult the Chair.

For your convenience, please request a Major Planning Map form from the Program assistant.

 

Minor in Translation Studies
 

The Minor in Translation Studies allows students to explore the history and theory of translation practices, to consider the importance of translation in today’s world, and to complete a substantial translation or translation-related project.

The Minor in Translation Studies will not qualify students to work professionally as translators or interpreters upon graduation. The courses on a transcript that count toward the Minor will demonstrate that the student has acquired basic familiarity with the history and principle theories of translation and interpreting, together with sufficient linguistic preparedness to conduct basic practical work in translation or interpreting. It will serve as a useful qualification for those wishing to enter one of the growing number of post-graduate programs that provide further training in translation and interpreting, both areas of significant employment growth. It will serve equally those wishing to pursue research in the area of translation and interpreting, a burgeoning area of academic specialization. For students generally, whatever their career goals, the Minor can be profitably combined with their major (Anthropology, French, Political Science, German, History, etc.), enhancing the value of their degree and making them more competitive in today’s global job market.

The Minor in Translation Studies is supervised by the Director of the Center for Translation Studies along with the Chair of the Program in Comparative Literature. Students wishing to minor in Translation Studies should meet with Professor Peter Connor to discuss the choice of their elective courses.

Six (6) courses are required for the minor:

  1. CPLT BC3110: Introduction to Translation Studies 

  2. Two or three elective courses, dealing with the history and/or theory of translation, or with language from an anthropological, philosophical, psychological, social or cultural perspective. Example courses:

    • AFRS BC3563: Translating Hispaniola

    • ANTH UN1009: Introduction to Language and Culture

    • CPLT BC3200: The Visual and the Verbal

    • FREN BC3071: History of the French Language

    • FREN BC3063: Structuralism and Poststructuralism

    • LING UN4800: Language and Society

    • PHIL UN3685 Philosophy of Language

    • PSYC BC3164: Perception and Language

    • THTR UN3000: Theater Traditions in a Global Context

    • THTR UN3167: Dramaturgy

  3. One or two language-based courses at the advanced level offering practice in written or oral translation.

    • For example, a student working with French:

      • FREN BC3007: Commercial-Economic French

      • FREN BC3014: Advanced Translation

      • FREN BC3054: Translation Through Film

    • For example, a student working with Spanish:

      • SPAN BC3376: Rethinking Spanish Translation

      • SPAN UN3265: Latin American Literature in Translation

  4. CPLT BC3510: Advanced Workshop in Translation

Note: the particular courses qualifying for the minor will vary according to the language chosen by the candidate. With permission of the director of the minor, a student may request credit for an Independent Study involving substantial translation or interpreting work.
 

3 Easy Steps to Declare a Major in Comparative Literature!

  • First, meet with your pre-Advisor.
  • Second, meet with either Professor Sun or Professor Connor, to discuss your plans and be assigned an advisor.
  • Last, complete your Major Declaration form here:  Barnard Registrar Major Declaration Form

 

How to Elect a Minor in Translation Studies