Inherently interdisciplinary, comparative literature begins with the insistence that any artifact of culture—be it a canvas, a poem, a film, or a novel—requires active attention and engagement. At the same time, where the national literatures designate their subjects by language or nation, comparative literature allows a pluralistic approach that bridges linguistic and cultural boundaries. Closely allied with literary and critical theory as well as with contemporary trends in globalization studies and cultural studies, comparative literature nonetheless can be defined neither in terms of a specific methodology nor a specific canon of texts. Above all, what defines comparative literature is its open-ended spirit of inquiry. Students of comparative literature create their subject matter by determining the meaning and method of their comparative approach.

Career Opportunities As a graduate of the UO’s comparative literature department, you’ll have advanced research experience as well as analytical, linguistic, and writing skills that will open the doors of many professional positions. You might launch a career in the academic arena or find that your interests are satisfied by work in the business world. You can choose from fields such as journalism, publishing, and any profession in which critical thinking and writing skills are assets. You will also be well prepared to pursue graduate education at the UO or at another institution.