Comparative Literature and Critical Translation

To take the course, you must be able to work with two languages and literatures, out of Arabic, Chinese, English, French, German, modern Greek, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, and Turkish.

The MSt is attached to Oxford’s research centre in Comparative Criticism and Translation (OCCT) and builds on the recent growth in scholarly awareness of the importance of translation to comparative and world literary study. This is what is meant by ‘critical translation’: not translator training, but rather an interest in the role played by translation and re-writing in literary history, and an alertness to the uses of translation in critical practice.

The core course will introduce you to key topics in comparative and world literature and translation studies, and give you the skills needed to develop your own arguments and pursue original research. It is taught by a weekly lecture and seminar in weeks 1-6 of Michaelmas (autumn) and Hilary (spring) terms. You will give presentations in the seminars (usually twice each term), and write a short practice essay (2,000-4,000 words) at the end of Michaelmas term: these formative assignments will not affect your degree result. Assessment is by a 4,000 word essay written at the end of Hilary term.

The list below provides an indication of the topics covered in the core course, though please note that it may vary from year to year:

• histories of comparison
• theories of comparison
• worlds of comparison
• figures;
• genres and forms
• migration, travel and encounter
• translation studies and comparative literatures
• translation and transmediality
• translation and circulation
• translingual and multilingual texts
• untranslatables and universals
• translational critical practices.

You will take one option course in Michaelmas term and one option course in Hilary term. These options are chosen from a wide range available in the faculties of Medieval and Modern Languages, English Language and Literature, and Oriental Studies. The options available will vary from year to year. For an indicative list, please see section 4.5 of the draft course handbook, which can be found on the department's course webpage.

Teaching for an option consists of regular 1-1 or small-group meetings, with feedback being given as appropriate; assessment is by written work of up to 7,000 words, to be submitted after the end of the term in which the option has been taught. Your options must focus on literature in different languages (eg, Arabic in one term, English in the other; or French in one term, Russian in the other). Some options may not have a language requirement, or may span more than one language: in such cases, the course convener will advise you so that your choices cover an appropriate range.

Your dissertation may be on any comparative topic that involves your two languages of focus. You will work closely with a supervisor, starting at the end of Michaelmas term and continuing through Hilary term, though the bulk of the work will be concentrated in Trinity (summer) term. Your 10,000-12,000 word dissertation will be due in at the end of Trinity term.

If you wish, you may also choose to study another language at the Oxford University Language Centre. This opportunity is free of charge for students taking the MSt in Comparative Literature and Critical Translation, though it is not an assessed part of your MSt course.

The allocation of graduate supervision for this course is the responsibility of the steering committee for the MSt in Comparative Literature and Critical Translation in consultation with faculties in the Humanities Division, and it is not always possible to accommodate the preferences of incoming graduate students to work with a particular member of staff.

It is anticipated that those who have successfully completed the course may proceed to doctoral work at Oxford or other institutions. Alternative career destinations may include publishing, journalism, teaching, or various kinds of international cultural work.

Changes to this course and your supervision

The University will seek to deliver this course in accordance with the description set out in this course page. However, there may be situations in which it is desirable or necessary for the University to make changes in course provision, either before or after registration. In certain circumstances, for example due to visa difficulties or because the health needs of students cannot be met, it may be necessary to make adjustments to course requirements for international study.

Where possible your academic supervisor will not change for the duration of your course. However, it may be necessary to assign a new academic supervisor during the course of study or before registration for reasons which might include sabbatical leave, parental leave or change in employment.

For further information, please see our page on changes to courses.

Other courses you may wish to consider

If you're thinking about applying for this course, you may also wish to consider the courses listed below. These courses may have been suggested due to their similarity with this course, or because they are offered by the same department or faculty.

Courses suggested by the faculty

Medieval Studies MSt
World Literatures in English MSt
Modern Languages MSt
Oriental Studies MSt

Interdisciplinary courses offered by the Humanities Division

Comparative Literature and Critical Translation MSt

Film Aesthetics MSt

Late Antique and Byzantine Studies MSt

Late Antique and Byzantine Studies MPhil

Medieval Studies MSt

Women's Studies MSt

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Entry requirements