Comparative Literature

Graduate Programs

The graduate programs provide qualified students with a framework for studying a broad range of literatures, for exploring literature and other arts, and for pursuing translation studies or other forms of interdisciplinary inquiry. To enter one of the degree programs, students must be able to do graduate-level work in one or more foreign languages. In courses in comparative literature, they make substantial use of the foreign languages they command. In addition to the body of knowledge and methodology appropriate to their individual programs of study, students are expected to acquire a considerable familiarity with world literature and with literary theory and criticism.

Students work closely with the departmental director of graduate studies to formulate a curriculum that meets their needs and maintains the standards of the discipline. While the normal patterns of requirements for the MA and PhD degrees are described below, students may have certain courses waived because of their previous training or professional goals.

International students who have not received a degree in the United States or another English-speaking country as defined by the Graduate School are required to submit proof of English proficiency, such as Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or PTE Academic scores. The minimum TOEFL score for admission to the Department of Comparative Literature is 100.

Master of Arts Programs

The Master of Arts degree programs introduce students to the comparative study of literature, to interdisciplinary studies involving literature, and to the theory and practice of literary translation. Essential to the programs is the acquisition of the critical tools required by comparative literary studies, as well as the development of the ability to do graduate work in at least two literatures. All students, before completing the degree, must demonstrate proficiency in a language other than English. To be admitted to the programs, students must have a BA (or equivalent) and show potential for graduate work. The department offers two tracks for the master's degree: Plan A is the standard program, which often leads to PhD study, and Plan B is a vocationally-oriented translation studies degree, which must be pursued in conjunction with a graduate certificate in translation. The completion of Plans A and B both typically take at least three semesters of coursework.

Course Requirements Credits
Plan A: Standard  
COLI 592 Proseminar 4
First literature 12 to 16
Second literature or minor 8 to 12
Electives 4 to 8
Total 32
Plan B: Translation Studies  
COLI 592 Proseminar 4
COLI 572 and 573 Translation Workshops 8

COLI 580A / TRIP 580A, Intro to Translation Studies, or other Translation Studies seminar

 4
Linguistics, language theory or history as suited to individual program needs 8
Literature in source languages (two courses) 8
Total 32

Examination

Students following Plan A take a written examination and submit a portfolio with their work. This take-home written examination is based on the MA reading list, available in the office of the department. The reading list is divided into sections (timeframes). Students choose three to four titles from each, totaling a number of 20 titles, on the condition that their overall choice reflects diversity in both genre and scope. Reading lists are subject to approval by the examiners. Students will receive three to four questions (possibly including sub-questions) that are to be addressed over the course of a 72-hour weekend in the form of coherent and well-informed three- to five-page mini-essays (double space, standard formatting). The portfolio is subdivided into three components: a writing sample, a syllabus and a professional CV. It is due the same Monday as the take-home exam but can be put together in advance. For the writing sample, students revise and (if needed) expand one of their own term papers to article length (ca. 25 pp.). The faculty member to whom the paper was initially submitted will collaborate with the examiners in assessing the revision. The original paper (and the instructor鈥檚 feedback, if available) should be submitted to the examiners, along with the revised version. The portfolio further contains a syllabus for the examinee鈥檚 ideal course on world or comparative literature, along with a brief (one to two page) rationale. The format of the professional CV is variable and the grading is P/F. These examinations are given in November, and, when necessary, also in April; they may be repeated once. 

Students following Plan B take the same written examination in comparative literature. Instead of submitting a portfolio, Plan B students take written exams in translation theory and copyright, which are due on the same weekend as the literature exam, as well as a translation practice exam. The translation practice exam must be scheduled for the first week of April at the University Testing Center. Students may use two dictionaries, one of them online; however, they may not use online translation tools, such as Google Translate. The TRIP coordinator will schedule the translation practice exam. The process of scheduling begins early in the spring semester when students approach a faculty member to ask them to serve as their examiner; by mid-March, students must be ready to inform the TRIP coordinator that they plan to take the translation practice exam in April and who their examiner is.

Students who wish to qualify for study toward the doctorate must achieve a grade of B+ or better on all sections of the examinations. A grade of B or better on each section constitutes a passing grade.

Doctor of Philosophy Programs

Doctoral studies in comparative literature assume a foundation in the study of literature approximately equivalent to the one described under the MA programs. The doctoral program provides opportunities for the study of literature from a comparative point of view, extending the reach of inquiry into fields such as philosophy, history and art. Basic to the program is a solid foundation in critical methodology and in the history of criticism.

Doctoral Program in Literary Studies

Each student鈥檚 program is expected to achieve the following objectives: an in-depth knowledge of one literature, including the main critical sources for its study; a knowledge of a substantial number of works in a second literature; a knowledge of a large number of masterworks of world literature (such as those represented in the MA reading list); a concentration in a period, a genre or other area of study encompassing at least two literatures; and a good knowledge of the history of criticism and of contemporary literary theory. Highly unusual majors or minors require the approval of the departmental faculty.

Admission to the Program

Formal admission to the program entails one of the following procedures:

  • Students who have passed the MA examination (see above) with a grade of B+ or better may be recommended to the program at the discretion of the departmental examination committee.
  • Students presenting an MA degree in national literature from another department or university, or an MA in comparative literature from another university, are normally not required to take the master鈥檚 examination.

Applicants to the doctoral program should include in their application some samples of their writing (e.g., one or more term papers).

Requirements

Students are expected to design their own curricula in accordance with their scholarly interests and their professional goals in consultation with members of the faculty. All PhD students are encouraged to seek the guidance of an advisor at the beginning of their third semester to assist them in designing their programs and choosing dissertation topics.

The total course requirement for the MA + PhD program is 60 credits. Students entering with an MA will need to take 36 credits to complete the course. All students must take COLI 592 Proseminar, usually in their first semester.

Comparative literature courses at Binghamton are, basically, of two kinds: broadly-based seminars covering the evolution of a genre, the history of criticism, etc., or monographic-type courses concentrating on one or more authors, a development in literature or in literary theory, a particular interdisciplinary approach, etc. A student鈥檚 program should aim at achieving the objectives of the program through a balance among the studies of literary history and theory and the comparative study of specific works and authors. In addition to the courses and seminars offered by the Comparative Literature Department, students are encouraged to take courses offered by other departments in their fields of specialization.

Language Requirement

PhD candidates must demonstrate a solid reading knowledge in two languages other than English. Both languages must directly relate to the student's areas of research and must be approved by the director of graduate studies (or program director). Satisfaction of the language requirements is a prerequisite for acquiring the ABD status.

Comprehensive Examination

The comprehensive examination consists of four parts:

  • Dissertation Proposal (in the format of a substantial paper): This paper is expected to review primary and secondary sources and articulate the problem(s) that the student will focus on.
  • Historical Construction of a Topic: This section of the exam is devoted to a theme that treats the student鈥檚 area of expertise in its historical dimension. This is a 72-hour take-home exam.
  • Minor Field: This is a second area of specialization that may be conceived in such a way as to complement the major area of expertise or to represent an altogether different focus. This is a 72-hour take-home exam.
  • Oral Examination: This segment is based on the dissertation proposal and on the preceding portions of the exam and involves all of the examiners. Students are expected to make an oral presentation of their doctoral project at the beginning of the examination.

Students choose an examination committee (subject to the approval of the graduate director) with a minimum of three examiners, at least one of whom is to be a core faculty member in the Department of Comparative Literature. Reading lists for parts two and three of the examination should be developed through close collaboration with the examiners. The dissertation proposal must be submitted no later than March 15 for an examination in the spring semester and Oct. 15 for an examination in the fall semester. The oral examination should take place while classes are in session in fall or spring.

The student is formally admitted to candidacy upon passing the comprehensive examination. Once formally admitted to candidacy, the student has five years in which to complete and defend the dissertation.

Dissertation

The dissertation should be comparative in its scope and implications, and demonstrate the student鈥檚 ability to deal with theoretical problems and to organize and present the research methodically. The Graduate School requires that the candidate, while working on the dissertation, register for one credit hour of COLI 699.

On the initial approval of the dissertation by its readers, the candidate is expected to defend it at an oral examination lasting from one to two hours.

Doctoral Track in Philosophy, Literature and the Theory of Criticism (PLC)

This program offers students a course of study responsive to the interdisciplinary nature of work in literary theory, literature and philosophy. It provides an extensive background in literary history and methods of reading, as well as significant preparation in philosophy and modern theories of language and interpretation informed by research from such fields as anthropology, the humanities, linguistics, psychoanalysis and semiotics. This doctoral track draws on the campus resources in the areas of philosophy and modern theory of criticism and seeks to bring these into vital interplay with literary research and work in the visual arts.

Admission to the Program

Qualified students holding a bachelor鈥檚 or master鈥檚 degree are eligible for admission. Check the website of the 黑料视频 Graduate School for application instructions. An undergraduate specialization in philosophy or literature is desirable but not essential for admission. Students considered insufficiently prepared for work in the program may be required to do additional work to make up for deficiencies.

Course Requirements

For students entering with a BA, the minimum course requirement for the PhD is 60 credits; those who enter with an MA need to take 36 credits to be course complete. Students are required to take COLI 592 Proseminar, courses in literary criticism, theory, and literature, and six semester courses with philosophical content. 

Language Requirement

PhD candidates must demonstrate a solid reading knowledge in two languages other than English. Both languages must directly relate to the student's areas of research and must be approved by the director of graduate studies (or program director). Satisfaction of the language requirements is a prerequisite for acquiring the ABD status.

Examinations

PLC students entering with a BA are expected to take the MA exam in comparative literature with a PLC focus. This includes a reading list with core texts in philosophy, available in the department office.

Comprehensive Examination

The comprehensive examination consists of four parts:

  • Dissertation Proposal (in the format of a substantial paper): This paper should review the significant primary and secondary sources relevant to this area of work and should articulate the problem(s) that the student will focus on.
  • PLC Core (Philosophical Texts): Based on the reading list provided by the student. This is a 72-hour take-home exam.
  • PLC Core (Literary Texts): Based on the reading list provided by the student. This is a 72-hour take-home exam.
  • Oral Examination: This segment is based on the dissertation proposal and on the preceding portions of the exam and involves all of the examiners.

Students choose an examination committee (subject to the approval of the graduate director) with a minimum of three examiners, at least one of whom is to be a core faculty member in the Department of Comparative Literature. Reading lists for parts two and three of the examination should be developed through close collaboration with the examiners. The dissertation proposal must be submitted no later than March 15 for an examination in the spring semester and Oct. 15 for an examination in the fall semester. The oral examination should take place while classes are in session in fall or spring.

The student is formally admitted to candidacy upon passing the comprehensive examination. Once formally admitted to candidacy, the student has five years in which to complete and defend the dissertation.

Dissertation

The dissertation is similar in nature and scope to that required of students in the program in literary studies.

Translator Training

The advanced certificate program in translation is administered by the Translation Research and Instruction Program (TRIP). For a detailed description, see the Translation Research and Instruction Program section of the Bulletin.

List of Faculty

Note: Content updated on 5/26/2023