Comparative Literature (Graduate Field)
Field Description
The field of comparative literature at Cornell offers a Ph.D. degree in all major areas of literary study and literary and cultural theory. The field’s size (about 20 students) enables it to offer diverse, innovative, and interdisciplinary programs of study.
Entering students design a program in consultation with the field committee, which is chaired by the director of graduate studies. Areas of concentration and principal advisors (the special committee) should be selected by the end of the first year of residence. Given that coursework is completed within three years, the student should have proficiency in two foreign languages. Those intending to specialize in international literatures are strongly encouraged to acquire fluency in the relevant language. Students should take 12 scholarly courses. As part of their training in the doctoral program, all candidates must fulfill at least one year of classroom teaching.
The first and second-year reviews take place at the end of the first year and in the third term, respectively. They aim to assist students in focusing on the topics and the fields of research that will form the basis of their A exams. The admission to candidacy (A) examination is usually taken in the third year of study and is both written and oral.
The department does not offer a terminal M.A. program (and consequently does not admit students seeking only that degree), but an M.A. degree is granted after satisfactory completion of the A examination. The student then begins work on a dissertation, which, upon completion, is defended at the oral final (B) examination administered by the special committee.