A WORK OF LITERATURE ALWAYS MAKES CONNECTIONS. It not only reaches individual readers; it can invoke other literary works and traditions, it can challenge or embrace scientific or historical knowledge, it can be translated into another language or transformed by film. Comparative literature explores this rich tapestry of relationships. At Hamilton, comparative literature is the study of literary and cultural texts from around the globe. Students in the program learn about traditional literary analysis. Just as important, they learn to question their familiar assumptions and to recognize and celebrate the complex ways in which literature interacts with culture and politics. More ...
Academic Program
RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES
Students of comparative literature often have the opportunity to work as research assistants with faculty members, both during the summer and during the academic year. In addition, many students take advantage of the rich opportunities for study abroad provided by Hamilton. In recent years, students of comparative literature have studied in such places as France, Chile, Spain, India, Ireland, China, Nepal, Scotland, England and Kenya.
THE SENIOR PROGRAM
All majors in comparative literature participate in an intensive senior seminar, during which they work closely with faculty members on topics involving translation of literary works and communication between cultures. In addition seniors are encouraged to pursue — and those seniors interested in departmental honors are required to complete — a senior project, which leads to the writing of a senior thesis. Carried out under the close supervision of a faculty member, the senior thesis represents a culmination of each student's undergraduate experience; it synthesizes coursework, discussion and personal reflection into a focused statement of intellectual growth and insight.
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RESOURCES
The College's Burke Library offers a strong collection of texts and periodicals on various facets of comparative literature and the literary and cinematic traditions of other cultures. Also housed at the library is the College's Beinecke Lesser Antilles Collection, regarded as the world’s finest collection of 16th- to 19th-century materials on this region of the West Indies, with more than 1,800 print volumes and 1,000 manuscripts.
The Comparative Literature Department has strong interdisciplinary ties to a number of other programs on campus: Asian studies, Russian studies, American studies, women’s studies, Africana studies, Latin American studies and the Diversity and Social Justice Project. All of these provide personal and scholarly resources of interest to many comparative literature students.
Hamilton is one of the few small liberal arts colleges where comparative literature is an independent department rather than a part of a larger program. This means students and faculty members work closely together and know one another well. We’re deeply committed to writing- and discussion-based teaching, so classes are small and interactive. Most introductory courses are limited to 20 students, and advanced courses are even smaller.
Broad Perspectives
Comparative literature is rooted in a multicultural perspective. This is particularly valuable in the modern world, where a global view must be balanced with respect and appreciation for diverse national traditions and genres. In addition, the department contributes heavily to the innovative, interdisciplinary approach to the liberal arts at Hamilton. Courses allow students to work at the intersection of literature and such diverse fields as philosophy, psychology, theatre, music and even physics and mathematics.
Renowned Scholars
As authors and editors, faculty members in our department have produced ten books and are currently at work on several more. We have written numerous scholarly articles, too, publishing on the relationship between literature and music, law, the visual arts and psychology, among others topics. Most important, our ongoing commitment to research and scholarship extends to our students, who regularly work as research assistants to faculty members.
Endless Possibilities
The study of comparative literature is carried out through intensive writing and rigorous discussion in a community of committed students and scholars. Hamilton graduates in comparative literature go on to pursue a wide variety of professions and graduate studies in such fields as law, education, publishing, journalism, medicine, government and marketing.
Hamilton is one of the few small liberal arts colleges where comparative literature is an independent department rather than a part of a larger program. This means students and faculty members work closely together and know one another well. We’re deeply committed to writing- and discussion-based teaching, so classes are small and interactive. Most introductory courses are limited to 20 students, and advanced courses are even smaller.
Broad Perspectives
Comparative literature is rooted in a multicultural perspective. This is particularly valuable in the modern world, where a global view must be balanced with respect and appreciation for diverse national traditions and genres. In addition, the department contributes heavily to the innovative, interdisciplinary approach to the liberal arts at Hamilton. Courses allow students to work at the intersection of literature and such diverse fields as philosophy, psychology, theatre, music and even physics and mathematics.
Renowned Scholars
As authors and editors, faculty members in our department have produced ten books and are currently at work on several more. We have written numerous scholarly articles, too, publishing on the relationship between literature and music, law, the visual arts and psychology, among others topics. Most important, our ongoing commitment to research and scholarship extends to our students, who regularly work as research assistants to faculty members.
Endless Possibilities
The study of comparative literature is carried out through intensive writing and rigorous discussion in a community of committed students and scholars. Hamilton graduates in comparative literature go on to pursue a wide variety of professions and graduate studies in such fields as law, education, publishing, journalism, medicine, government and marketing.
Hamilton is one of the few small liberal arts colleges where comparative literature is an independent department rather than a part of a larger program. This means students and faculty members work closely together and know one another well. We’re deeply committed to writing- and discussion-based teaching, so classes are small and interactive. Most introductory courses are limited to 20 students, and advanced courses are even smaller.
Broad Perspectives
Comparative literature is rooted in a multicultural perspective. This is particularly valuable in the modern world, where a global view must be balanced with respect and appreciation for diverse national traditions and genres. In addition, the department contributes heavily to the innovative, interdisciplinary approach to the liberal arts at Hamilton. Courses allow students to work at the intersection of literature and such diverse fields as philosophy, psychology, theatre, music and even physics and mathematics.
Renowned Scholars
As authors and editors, faculty members in our department have produced ten books and are currently at work on several more. We have written numerous scholarly articles, too, publishing on the relationship between literature and music, law, the visual arts and psychology, among others topics. Most important, our ongoing commitment to research and scholarship extends to our students, who regularly work as research assistants to faculty members.
Endless Possibilities
The study of comparative literature is carried out through intensive writing and rigorous discussion in a community of committed students and scholars. Hamilton graduates in comparative literature go on to pursue a wide variety of professions and graduate studies in such fields as law, education, publishing, journalism, medicine, government and marketing.
Hamilton is one of the few small liberal arts colleges where comparative literature is an independent department rather than a part of a larger program. This means students and faculty members work closely together and know one another well. We’re deeply committed to writing- and discussion-based teaching, so classes are small and interactive. Most introductory courses are limited to 20 students, and advanced courses are even smaller.
Broad Perspectives
Comparative literature is rooted in a multicultural perspective. This is particularly valuable in the modern world, where a global view must be balanced with respect and appreciation for diverse national traditions and genres. In addition, the department contributes heavily to the innovative, interdisciplinary approach to the liberal arts at Hamilton. Courses allow students to work at the intersection of literature and such diverse fields as philosophy, psychology, theatre, music and even physics and mathematics.
Renowned Scholars
As authors and editors, faculty members in our department have produced ten books and are currently at work on several more. We have written numerous scholarly articles, too, publishing on the relationship between literature and music, law, the visual arts and psychology, among others topics. Most important, our ongoing commitment to research and scholarship extends to our students, who regularly work as research assistants to faculty members.
Endless Possibilities
The study of comparative literature is carried out through intensive writing and rigorous discussion in a community of committed students and scholars. Hamilton graduates in comparative literature go on to pursue a wide variety of professions and graduate studies in such fields as law, education, publishing, journalism, medicine, government and marketing.
AFTER HAMILTON
Hamilton graduates who concentrated in Comparative Literature are pursuing careers in a variety of fields, including:
Fashion Editor, Marie Claire
Senior Marketing Director, L’Oreal USA
Senior Publicist, The Museum of Modern Art (MOMA)
Professor of Pediatrics, Seattle Children’s Hospital
Producer, Fresh Air Weekend, WHYY-FM, Philadelphia
Trial Attorney, U.S. Department of Justice
Children’s Book Editor, Little Brown & Co.
Teacher, Action for Boston Community Development
Associate Brand Manager, Hasbro, Inc.
Psychotherapist, California Graduate Institute Counseling Center
