Comparative Literature

The comparative or cross-cultural study of literatures assumes that people from different cultures, times, places and languages can communicate with each other, understand (if not fully share) each other’s traditions, and benefit from such contacts.

You will read a wide variety of texts under the theme of heroes. You will analyse works representing different types of hero: classical, tragic, popular, traditional, comic, anti-heroes and others, and also explore the notion of heroism, its absence in our lives and our longing for it as this finds expression in various historical contexts and cultures. The notion of female heroism in contrast to male heroism is also explored. An optional pathway involves the study of heroism in Russian and Central European cultures.

In the second year the theme of frontiers will focus on the depiction of various forms of discovery and borders: geographic, scientific, psychological, gender-oriented and cultural. You will study a variety of ‘crossings’ and look at the exploration of otherness, secrets, mysteries and taboos. You will also focus on various literary and cinematic depictions of the search for identity and the meaning of self through a series of challenging texts and films from a variety of cultures. There is also the opportunity to explore the theme of frontiers in Slavonic cinema.

You will also study other subjects in years 1 and 2: see Degrees in Arts, Life Sciences, Science and Social Sciences.

If you progress to Honours (years 3 and 4) Comparative Literature may only be taken as a Joint Honours degree, meaning that you will also study another subject.

In your Honours years you will take courses that deepen your knowledge and understanding of literary and cultural theories and you will read texts from an intercultural perspective. In addition to this, you will learn how to reflect critically upon the different approaches you take to texts. You will also gain an awareness of issues of language and translation as they relate to the reading of texts from different cultures.

Our Comparative Literature students have studied abroad at universities in Europe and the USA for a semester or longer.