Arizona State University • Department of English
Master of Arts in English (Comparative Literature)
Professor Aaron Baker, Director
The Master of Arts in English with a concentration in comparative literature is intended to develop graduate-level skills related to the history, theory, and practice of the discipline. Fluency sufficient for graduate work in a foreign language is necessary; satisfactory proficiency in conversation and composition will be determined by the appropriate division of the Department of Languages and Literatures.
Admission Requirements:
Three letters of recommendation (available in word or pdf format)
Statement of purpose
Department of English application (available in word or pdf format)
Academic writing sample
Graduate College Admissions Application
Official transcripts
See Department of English Application Process for more information. The deadline for applications if February 1.
Specific Course Requirements:
At least 36 hours at the graduate level are required, with a minimum of 12 hours being taken in the Department of Languages and Literatures. Independent reading is an important part of the program, and each student will, with the guidance of his/her committee, draw up a three-part list consisting of: (1) selective reading of world literature; (2) reading in the area(s) associated with the student's specialization for the thesis; (3) reading of important works of current literary theory.
It should be noted that the full course listing which follows illustrates not only the breadth of opportunity offered by the program but also the kinds of in-depth study possible. In addition, special needs can be met by Reading and Conference (ENG 590).
I. Core courses: Concepts and methodology (9 hours)
A. Bibliographical methods: Research Methods (ENG 500) or Research Methods (FLA 500), required.
B. Comparative Literature Theory and Practice (ENG 503 or FLA 501) (cross-listed departmentally, and required).
C. One course selected from the following: Theory and History of Literary Criticism (e.g., ENG 400, History of Literary Criticism or SPA 545, Concepts of Literary Criticism); Textual Criticism (e.g., FRE 510, Explication de Texte); Theory and Problems of Translation (591 in FRE, GER, SPA, etc.).
II. Core Courses: Topics (6-9 hours) to be chosen from the following categories:
A. Ancillary courses, e.g., Linguistics (ENG 413, ENG 510, FRE 521, GER 521, SPA 540, FLA 400, FLA 530); Philosophy (e.g., PHI 403, PHI 406); Intellectual History (e.g., FRE 515, FRE 516, PHI 519, HIS 423, HIS 463).
B. Period courses (e.g., ENG 550; HUM 591; courses in English and American literature appropriate to the individual program, as determined in consultation with the supervisory committee; appropriate 494 and 591 courses).
C. Topics courses (e.g., ENG 549, Studies in Comparative Literature; ENG or FLA 591, The Sonnet, Linguistic Structures in Literature, Social and Cultural Forces in Literature, Nature in New World Fiction, other appropriate courses chosen in consultati on with the committee).
III. Core courses: Foreign language and literature courses (12-15 hours) 400-500 level courses in one language, exclusive of courses in translation).
Supervisory Committee: Each candidate in the program is closely advised by a three-member committee drawn from the membership of the interdisciplinary committee administering the program.
Written Examination: The interdepartmental committee is charged with administering the examination to each student in the program. The examination consists of three parts:
General literature: Figures, works, and issues based on the reading list and coursework.
General concepts of comparative literature: Essay questions on selected aspects of comparative literature, designed to test a student's grasp of the general principles of the discipline.
Foreign language literature(s): Essay questions based on specific course work done by the student in foreign language courses, as described in Part III of the program outline.Students being tested within each testing session will have certain parts of the examination in common, while other parts will reflect the specific course work of the individual student. Each examination will be evaluated by the three-member committee na med on the student's program of study.
Thesis: (ENG 599 6 hours) Under the direction of the supervisory committee, the student writes a master's thesis and defends it at an oral examination.
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