Comparative Literature takes as its special mandate the teaching and comparing of world literature, not only as social documents but also as works of art whose full appreciation depends on the study of languages, an understanding of diversity and globalization, and an appreciation of various media. The program encourages the study of literature by promoting the study of a second or third foreign language and by sponsoring courses and dissertations that cut across national boundaries. Three introductory courses, Introduction to Comparative Literature, World Literature: From the Beginning to 1700 A.D., and World Literature: 1700 to the Present, give students a base upon which to build their studies. The program is designed so that students can individualize their plans of study.
Points of Pride
- Undergraduate coursework in comparative literature could include areas such as: Chinese, classics, English, foreign language and literatures, French, German, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Latin, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish.
- The comparative literature program hosts a spring lecture series.
- In 2009, Purdue hosted the Renaissance Comparative Prose Conference, "Murrin and Nohrnberg."