Berkeley Comparative Literature: An In-Depth Look at UC Berkeley's Program

Literature serves as a vibrant cultural space where the present is debated, the past is unearthed, and future possibilities are imagined. In our increasingly interconnected world, where digital texts, media, and diverse forms of writing constantly shape human experiences, the ability to understand and analyze texts is more crucial than ever. Berkeley Comparative Literature program at UC Berkeley provides students with the essential tools to navigate this complex landscape.

Majoring in Comparative Literature at Berkeley offers undergraduates a robust toolkit for textual analysis, effective writing, skillful editing, nuanced translation, and critical thinking that transcends disciplinary and national boundaries. Our program immerses students in a rich tapestry of literary traditions and historical eras, spanning from the innovative forms of Latin American concrete poetry to the poignant narratives of Yiddish experimental fiction. The department boasts internationally recognized faculty and offers rigorous training in key areas such as French, German, Italian, Hebrew studies, Classics, Critical Theory, East Asian Literatures and Arts, Performance Studies, Film and Media, Poetry and Poetics, Gender and Sexuality Studies, Postcolonial Theory, English and American Literatures, Early Modern and Renaissance Studies, and Slavic Literatures and Cultures.

We, the faculty of Berkeley Comparative Literature, are deeply committed to the academic journey of our students. We value your presence as an integral member of our intellectual community at UC Berkeley. Our primary goal is to nurture your creative and intellectual passions, helping you develop your unique talents. As a Comparative Literature major, you will have the unique opportunity to conduct in-depth research across diverse literatures based on your specific interests. You will collaborate on team-based projects, engage in stimulating discussions on pressing political, aesthetic, and social issues, and cultivate a refined cross-cultural understanding of historical and societal dynamics. Our small classroom settings ensure close interaction with leading scholars in their respective fields, providing extensive individualized mentorship. Our undergraduate students take initiative and leadership roles by publishing and editing their own journal of comparative literature, CLUJ, and organizing an annual research conference. Many of our majors also enrich their academic experience through study abroad programs, broadening their cultural and linguistic expertise.

Graduates with a degree in Comparative Literature from Berkeley are highly sought after in a wide array of professions. Our alumni excel in journalism, media, publishing, translation, theater, and politics. They also make significant contributions in the legal, corporate, social, medical, and arts sectors. Furthermore, our program provides a strong foundation for students aiming to pursue advanced degrees at top graduate programs both in the United States and internationally.

“That is part of the beauty of all literature. You discover that your longings are universal longings, that you are not lonely and isolated from anyone. You belong.”
—F. Scott Fitzgerald

Declaring a Major in Berkeley Comparative Literature

If you are considering declaring Comparative Literature as your major at Berkeley, we encourage you to meet with our dedicated major advisor as soon as possible. You will likely find that the program requirements are adaptable to your academic interests and goals. Consulting with the department’s advisor early can be beneficial in selecting relevant freshman and sophomore courses that align with your intended path in Comparative Literature.

Throughout your time as a major, regular consultations with the major advisor each semester are required. These meetings are designed to help you plan your academic program for the upcoming year and facilitate pre-enrollment through the CalCentral system. Detailed information regarding the core requirements can be found under the Major Requirements tab. Please remember that many of these requirements can be tailored to match your specific language interests and long-term academic aspirations within the field of Comparative Literature.

Honors Program in Comparative Literature

Exceptional students at Berkeley Comparative Literature have the opportunity to participate in our Honors Program. Juniors who meet the following criteria are eligible for admission:

Achieve a minimum overall Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.55 and a major GPA of at least 3.65.
Complete a minimum of 8 upper division units in literature, including COM LIT 100 or its equivalent introductory course.
Demonstrate readiness for advanced upper division coursework in a vernacular foreign literature or a classical literature.

Beyond the standard program requirements, candidates for a BA with honors in Berkeley Comparative Literature must demonstrate a strong understanding of the historical evolution of their primary literature through examination or coursework. They must also achieve a grade of B or higher on an honors thesis completed in COM LIT H195. Students interested in the Honors Program are strongly encouraged to consult with an advisor in the Department of Comparative Literature at their earliest convenience.

Minor Program in Comparative Literature

The Department of Comparative Literature at UC Berkeley offers a Minor program, available to all UC Berkeley undergraduates regardless of their college affiliation. This minor consists of 5 courses, encompassing the 3 core classes required for the major (COM LIT 100, CL151-165, and COM LIT 190) alongside two courses from a secondary literature. For comprehensive details, please visit the department website at complit.berkeley.edu or reach out to the Comparative Literature major advisor at [email protected].

Visit Department Website

Major Requirements for Berkeley Comparative Literature

In addition to the general University, campus, and college requirements, as detailed on the College Requirements tab, students pursuing a major in Berkeley Comparative Literature must fulfill the specific requirements outlined below.

General Guidelines for the Major

All courses intended to satisfy major requirements must be taken for a letter grade, unless explicitly specified as Pass/No Pass only. Any exceptions are duly noted.
Students may use no more than one upper division course to simultaneously fulfill requirements for both a major and a minor.
A minimum GPA of 2.0 is required in all upper division courses used to satisfy major requirements.

For detailed information on residence and unit requirements, please refer to the College Requirements tab.

Upper Division Course Requirements

Course Code	Title	Units
Introductory Course (Select one):
COM LIT 100	Introduction to Comparative Literature	4
COM LIT 100A	Introduction to Comparative Literature: Literature and Philosophy	4
COM LIT 100B	Introduction to Comparative Literature: Society and Culture	4
COM LIT 100C	Introduction to Comparative Literature: Literary and Cultural History	4
COM LIT 100D	Introduction to Comparative Literature (International and Cross-Cultural Perspectives)	4
Period Course (Select one):	4
COM LIT 151	The Ancient Mediterranean World
COM LIT 152	The Middle Ages
COM LIT 153	The Renaissance
COM LIT 154	Eighteenth- and 19th-Century Literature
COM LIT 155	The Modern Period
COM LIT 156AC	On line: Fiction and Culture of the Americas
COM LIT 165	Myth and Literature
COM LIT 170	Special Topics in Comparative Literature
Senior Seminar (Select one):
COM LIT 190	Senior Seminar in Comparative Literature	4
Primary Literature:	12	Select at least three upper division courses (minimum 12 units), with readings in the original language.
Secondary Literature:	8	Select at least two upper division courses (minimum 8 units), with readings in the original language and chosen to align with the student’s primary period of interest.

Minor Requirements in Comparative Literature at Berkeley

For students choosing to minor in Comparative Literature at Berkeley, five courses taken for a letter grade are required. These include the three departmental core courses (COM LIT 100, 100A, B, C, or D; one course from COM LIT 151–160, 156AC or 170, and COM LIT 190), plus two courses in a secondary literature, ideally in a language different from the student’s primary language of study. Prospective minors are encouraged to consult with the major advisor for personalized planning.

The deadline to declare a minor is no later than one semester before your Expected Graduation Term (EGT). For Fall or Spring semester EGTs, the deadline is the last day of RRR week. For Summer EGTs, the deadline is the final Friday of Summer Sessions. To declare, contact the department advisor for details on requirements and the declaration process.

To finalize the minor, students must complete the “Completion of L&S Minor” form and submit it to the departmental advisor by the fifth week of classes in their final semester. The College of L&S will be notified of minor completion approximately four weeks after the final minor course is completed, for inclusion on the student’s diploma.

General Guidelines for the Minor

Minors must be declared before the first day of classes in your Expected Graduation Term (EGT). Summer graduates must declare before the first day of Summer Session A.
All upper-division courses must be taken for a letter grade.
At least three upper-division courses for the minor must be completed at UC Berkeley.
A minimum GPA of 2.0 is required in the upper-division courses for the minor.
Minor courses can count towards the Letters & Science Seven-Course Breadth requirement.
No more than one upper division course can fulfill requirements for both a major and a minor.
All minor requirements must be completed before the last day of finals in the semester of graduation. Consult a College of Letters & Science advisor if you cannot meet this deadline.
All minor requirements must be completed within the university’s unit ceiling. (See College Requirements tab for details).

Course Requirements for the Minor

Course Code	Title	Units
Core Courses (Two Required):	8
COM LIT 100	Introduction to Comparative Literature
COM LIT 190	Senior Seminar in Comparative Literature
Final Core Course (Select one):	4
COM LIT 151	The Ancient Mediterranean World
COM LIT 152	The Middle Ages
COM LIT 153	The Renaissance
COM LIT 154	Eighteenth- and 19th-Century Literature
COM LIT 155	The Modern Period
COM LIT 156	Fiction and Culture of the Americas
COM LIT 165	Myth and Literature
COM LIT 170	Special Topics in Comparative Literature
Secondary Language Courses (Two Required):	8	Consult with advisor about specific course options in a secondary language.

College Requirements at UC Berkeley

Undergraduate students at UC Berkeley must satisfy the following college requirements in addition to their major program requirements.

For detailed lists of L&S requirements, please see the Overview tab in this guide or visit the L&S Degree Requirements webpage. For College advising appointments, please visit the L&S Advising Pages.

University of California Requirements

Entry Level Writing

All incoming freshmen must demonstrate English language proficiency by fulfilling the Entry Level Writing requirement. This is a prerequisite for all UC Berkeley reading and composition courses and must be taken for a letter grade.

American History and American Institutions

These requirements ensure that graduates from American universities possess a foundational understanding of U.S. history and governmental institutions.

Berkeley Campus Requirement

American Cultures

All undergraduates must complete and pass the American Cultures requirement, engaging with the study of race, ethnicity, and culture within the United States.

College of Letters & Science Essential Skills Requirements

Quantitative Reasoning

This requirement ensures students graduate with basic competency in mathematics, statistics, or computer/data science, achievable through exam or approved coursework.

Foreign Language

The Foreign Language requirement is met by demonstrating proficiency equivalent to second-semester college level in reading, writing, and conversation in a foreign language.

Reading and Composition

Two semesters of lower division composition work are required to build a solid foundation in reading, writing, and critical thinking.

College of Letters & Science 7 Course Breadth Requirements

Breadth Requirements

Breadth courses provide a diverse educational experience outside the major, fostering interdisciplinary connections and preparing graduates to address complex global issues.

Unit Requirements

120 total units
36 upper division units required
6 upper division units must be outside the major department

Residence Requirements

Enrollment in courses on the Berkeley campus as an L&S student is required for units to be considered “in residence.”

Senior Residence Requirement

After earning 90 semester units, at least 24 of the remaining 30 units must be completed in residence over at least two semesters.

Modified Senior Residence Requirement

Participants in specific study abroad or UC programs may have a modified senior residence requirement.

Upper Division Residence Requirement

A minimum of 18 upper division units (excluding UCEAP units), with 12 units satisfying major requirements, must be completed in residence.

Student Learning Goals in Berkeley Comparative Literature

Learning Goals for the Major

Achieve proficiency in at least one language other than English to work with original texts in at least two literary traditions.
Gain solid grounding in at least two national literary traditions, with one as the primary focus.
Understand key characteristics of historical periods within the primary literature.
Recognize and understand literary genres (novel, poetry, epic, drama).
Develop fluency in using major critical and theoretical analysis methods.
Situate literary movements within their historical and cultural contexts.
Analyze cross-cultural aspects of literature (translation, avant-garde movements, romanticism, modernism, diasporic literatures).

Skills Developed

Critical Reading:
- Perform close textual analysis.
- Recognize literary and rhetorical devices.
- Apply literary theory to diverse texts.
- Accurately present arguments of critics and theorists.
- Understand implications of different interpretive approaches.
Argumentation:
- Develop logical, well-supported arguments.
- Evaluate arguments for coherence and evidence.
- Refine arguments based on new evidence or perspectives.
Oral and Written Expression:
- Present complex ideas orally, prepared and spontaneously.
- Engage in discussions, build on contributions, and formulate responses.
- Write clear, persuasive, and concise formal prose.
- Revise writing for clarity and effectiveness.
Research:
- Formulate rigorous research questions.
- Utilize databases and research tools.
- Assess material relevance and reliability.
- Properly cite published work.

Major Map for Berkeley Comparative Literature

Major Maps are experience maps designed to guide undergraduates in planning their Berkeley journey based on their major or field of interest. These maps provide curated suggestions for academic planning, extracurricular engagement, and career pursuits.

View the Comparative Literature Major Map.

Academic Opportunities in Comparative Literature

Study Abroad

Berkeley Comparative Literature strongly encourages students to study abroad, offering enriching personal and academic experiences.

Berkeley Study Abroad (BSA) is the UC system-wide program administering education abroad for Berkeley students. Contact a BSA advisor in 160 Stephens Hall for planning and information.

Departmental consultation is recommended to ensure study abroad aligns with degree progress.

Comparative Literature Undergraduate Journal (CLUJ)

Students can gain hands-on experience in writing, editing, and publishing by participating in the departmentally-supported journal, CLUJ. Contact the Undergraduate Major Advisor for details.

Vagabond

Vagabond offers students the opportunity to contribute to and manage a multilingual literary magazine. Contact the Undergraduate Major Advisor for more information.

Comparative Literature Undergraduate Research Symposium

Students can participate in organizing the annual Comp Lit Undergraduate Research Symposium, a forum for global scholars to discuss their research. The Symposium is typically held in mid-April. Contact the Undergraduate Major Advisor for involvement opportunities.

Courses Offered

Comparative Literature Courses

[List of Comparative Literature Courses with descriptions as provided in the original text]

Contact Information for Berkeley Comparative Literature

Department of Comparative Literature

4125 Dwinelle Hall