The Program in Literary Studies is designed for students who wish to secure a comprehensive background in major works of world literature, as well as an ability to experience a literary text directly in a language other than English.

The program draws upon the combined resources of the individual language and literature departments and provides undergraduates with access to the literature curriculum as a whole, allowing them to count toward requirements for the major any literature course offered by any department—including programs at other institutions in the United States and elsewhere in the world. 

The Literary Studies Program enables students to achieve a broad awareness of a variety of major literatures of different periods, while at the same time encouraging them to demonstrate a mastery of a single body of literature (e.g., works limited to a particular language, period, or genre).

World Literature

  • A bust sculpture of Homer.

    Homer, the legendary author to whom the authorship of the Iliad and the Odyssey is attributed, is regarded as one of the greatest and most influential authors of all time.

  • A painting of Dante Alighieri.

    Dante Alighieri, an Italian poet, writer, and philosopher, was instrumental in establishing the literature of Italy. 

  • A Japanese scroll depicting Lady Murasaki.

    Murasaki Shikibu was a Japanese novelist, poet, and lady-in-waiting at the Imperial court in the Heian period.

  • Black and white photograph of James Joyce.

    James Joyce, an Irish novelist, poet, and literary critic, contributed to the modernist avant-garde movement and is regarded as one of the most influential and important writers of the 20th century.

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