Programs of study can concentrate on such topics as genres, themes, periods, movements, folktale and oral literature, criticism, and the links between literature and related fields such as theatre or women's studies.

The M.A. is a general humanistic degree that helps prepare students for a variety of situations, including teaching in private high schools or community colleges, or further graduate work. The Ph.D. is a more specialized degree. The Ph.D. in Comparative Literature can be combined with a minor in a professional field such as teaching English as a second language. Other potential combinations include our dual-title Ph.D. programs in:

• Comparative Literature and African Studies
• Comparative Literature and Asian Studies
• Comparative Literature and Visual Studies
• Comparative Literature and Women's Studies