MA in Comparative Literature

1. Literature and other cultural productions: Students will achieve broad competence in genre, period and theme within an intercultural configuration.
2. Theoretical frameworks: Students will explore a range of literary and cultural theories, and demonstrate significant mastery of at least one.
3. Research methods and written and oral expression: Students will work with experienced researchers in a variety of media and receive advanced practice in written and oral communication.

What Will I Learn?

1. Discuss, interpret and critique the operative principles and methodological pillars of the discipline: theme, genre, literary period and interdisciplinary studies.
2. Apply these principles to specific examples from each of the methodological pillars, with emphasis on material that is relevant to the larger region of the Middle East.
3. Identify, apply, and interpret major schools of literary and cultural theory from classical antiquity through the present.
4. Demonstrate reading competence in at least two of the languages of the program: English, Arabic, Persian, French and Armenian.
5. Deliver efficient class presentations and produce individual research papers as well as a defensible master’s thesis of substantial length, combining original thought and interpretation of literary and cultural products with demonstrable research skills.

Who Can Apply?

Applicants to the program normally hold a bachelor’s degree in English, Arabic or French literature. Non-major applicants from a variety of backgrounds may be admitted with remedial requirements.

Your Career

• PhD and Research – Continue into a PhD for a career in academia.  
• University Lecturer/Professor – Teach literature, cultural studies or language courses.  
• High School Teacher – Teach literature, language or humanities subjects.  
• Educational Program Coordinator – Develop curriculum and training materials for schools or educational organizations.  
• Academic Advising and Administration – Work in student services, admissions or international programs.

• Editor – Work in book publishing, academic journals or media.  
• Literary Translator – Translate literary or scholarly texts.  
• Content Writer/Copywriter – Write for magazines, blogs, marketing firms or corporate communications.  
• Technical Writer – Create manuals, reports or instructional materials.  
• Grant Writer – Write proposals for non-profits, cultural organizations or research institutions.

• Journalist/Cultural Critic – Write for newspapers, magazines or online platforms.  
• Screenwriter/Script Consultant – Work in film, TV or theater.  
• Digital Content Creator – Produce content for YouTube, podcasts or social media.
• Media Researcher – Analyze narratives and trends in media industries.  

International Organizations  

• NGO/Non-Profit Work – Engage in advocacy, human rights or literacy programs.  
• International Development & Education Consultant – Promote multilingual and multicultural education.

• Communications Specialist – Work in PR, branding or corporate communications.
• Market Research Analyst – Analyze cultural and literary trends for businesses.

Curriculum

Graduate students in Comparative Literature complete 33 credit hours of coursework in three areas:

Core Requirements (18 cr.)

Other requirements

1. A national literature and culture.
2. A non-literature cognate (graduate-level courses in a field of the student’s interest such as film, history, theatre, philosophy, psychology, media, gender studies, political science, etc.)

The preliminary exam in comparative literature tests the student’s capacity to deal with specific topics rather than address very general areas. A reading list that consists of 5-10 texts prepared by the examining committee, in consultation with the student, takes into consideration the field/s of research related to the thesis topic for each student. The preliminary exam takes three hours.

Each member of the examining committee will receive a copy of the answering sheets and will correct the exam independently. The result, which is either pass or fail, is communicated to the director of the program. If the three examiners give a pass to the examinee, the student will be notified about the result. If one of the examiners fails the student, the director will call for a meeting where the examiners decide whether the student should pass or fail. Students who fail are given a second chance within a month from the date of the first exam. Those who fail the second comprehensive exam will be suspended from the program.