Comparative and World Literature

Subject abbreviations: CPLT

Committee in Charge Thomas F. Scanlon, Ph.D. Chair, Classics/ Comparative Ancient Civilizations/Comparative Literature Michelle E. Bloom, Ph.D. Comparative Litera - ture/French Heidi Brevik-Zender, Ph.D. Comparative Litera - ture/French David K. Danow, Ph.D. Russian/Compar a tive Literature Sabine Doran, Ph.D. European Literature/Comparative Literature Stephanie B. Hammer, Ph.D. Comparative Liter - ature/Germanic Studies John N. Kim, Ph.D. Germanic Studies/Japanese/Comparative Literature Mariam Beevi Lam, Ph.D. Vietnamese/ Comparative Literature Margherita Long, Ph.D. Japanese/Comparative Literature Hendrik M.J. Maier, Ph.D., Southeast Asian Literature/Comparative Literature Lisa A. Raphals, Ph.D. Chinese/Compara tive Literature Jeffrey Sacks, Ph.D. Arabic Literature/Compara tive Literature Theda Shapiro, Ph.D. French/Comparative Literature Marguerite Waller, Ph.D. Italian/Women’s Studies/Comparative Literature Yenna Wu, Ph.D. Chinese/Civiliza tions/ Comparative Literature Yang Ye, Ph.D., Chinese/Comparative Literature Stephen E. Cullenberg, Ph.D. Dean, College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences, ex officio

The department offers the B.A. in Comparative Literature. Comparative Literature is an interdis- ciplinary field which is studied internationally. At UCR, the Comparative Literature curriculum is organized around a core staff of comparatists assisted by qualified faculty from other depart- ments and programs. The discipline of Comparative Literature encourages study of interliterary relationships among various cultur- al traditions; on the graduate level, it seeks to promote the study of interdisciplinary relation- ships. Comparative Literature courses, under- graduate or graduate, require that the majors read whenever possible in the languages (two for undergraduates, one of which may be English, and three for graduates) they present. Nonmajors may do all the readings in English translations. Comparative Literature majors may also work with translations.

Comparative Literature and World Literature courses are open to all students.

• 1. Lower-division requirements (20 units plus

proficiency)

• a) Proficiency in at least one language

(besides English), ancient or modern, through the intermediate level (second year)

• b) CPLT 001 or CPLT 001W, CPLT 002

• c) CPLT 017A, CPLT 017B, CPLT 017C

• 2. Upper-division requirements (52 units)

• a) Sixteen (16) units in one literature, distrib-

uted as much as possible among courses representing the various literary periods

• b) Twelve (12) units in a second literature

• c) CPLT 110, CPLT 193, (CPLT 196 strongly

recommended but not required)

• d) Sixteen (16) elective units in Comparative

Literature

Students contemplating graduate study in Comparative Literature are urged to complete two years in a second (non-English) language before graduation.

The Department of Comparative Literature and Foreign Languages grants graduate degrees based on the comparative studies of world liter- atures and cultures. The Ph.D. degree has three tracks: Interliterary Studies, Interdisc - iplinary Studies, and Science Fiction, Science, and Literature described below. The depart- ment faculty, well balanced between Asianists and Europeanists, share a strong commitment to the study of literature through comparative and interdisciplinary approaches. We have par- ticular strengths in comparative Asian and European studies; comparative ancient studies; gender and feminist studies; global cultures and post-colonialism; film and visual culture studies; narrative and cultural translation; and science and science fiction.

Students are admitted into the Ph.D. program only. Entering students who do not already hold a master’s degree in Comparative Litera ture, in literature, or in comparable fields from another institution must complete M.A. require ments while pursuing the Ph.D.

Admission All applicants must supply GRE General Test (verbal, quantitative, analytical) scores.

S/NC Courses No S/NC-graded courses may be applied toward the minimum unit requirement for the graduate degree(s).

Note Courses in the student’s special literature areas used to fulfill either the M.A. or Ph.D. lit- erature requirements may be either graduate courses, or undergraduate courses together with a concurrent 292 course.

Language Requirement Students must have attained at least advanced language competen- cy in their non-English areas of literary special- ization. Competency is demonstrated by one of the following for each language re quired for a student’s particular literary specializations:

1. Course Work A translation seminar with addi- tional work in a specific national lan- guage/literature as required by the instructor.

• 2. Translation Examination A translation exer-

cise from the foreign language into English with use of only a dictionary admin istered on campus and about two hours long. Period and genre should be discussed in advance with the examiner. The choice of examiner is approved by the graduate advisor.

The Department of Comparative Literature and Foreign Languages requires the following for the M.A. degree in Comparative Literature.

All students must complete a minimum of 36 units of course work. Candidates must work in three of the following literatures, or two litera- tures for students in the interdisciplinary track: Chinese, English (either British or American), French, German, Classical Greek, Italian, Indonesian, Japanese, Latin, Philippino, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, and Vietnamese.

Requirements are as follows:

• 1. Two courses in canonical literature (CPLT 210)

• 2. Two courses in methods and theory

(CPLT 214 and CPLT 215A)

• 3. One course from CPLT 212, CPLT 222, or

CPLT 301

• 4. Two graduate courses in each of three litera-

tures or in each of two literatures and one interdisciplinary area

• 5. Three elective courses in Comparative

Literature

Note Students must take at least one graduate course in each of the following four areas: European, Asian, Ancient, and Modern Literature.

After completing the course requirements, the student has two options:

• a) Submit a portfolio of three essays, each

one representing one of their three literary or interdisciplinary areas, and write a 750- 1000 word commentary explaining the aims and achievements of the essays in relation to one another.

• b) Write a comprehensive research paper

(40-50 pages) that incorporates their three interliterary or interdisciplinary areas; this paper may develop topics of previous papers, or explore a new topic area.

The student then undergoes oral examination on the portfolio or the research paper. Follow - ing the examination, the graduate committee, after evaluation of the student’s entire graduate record, determines the candidate’s suitability for continuing in the Ph.D. program.

The Department of Comparative Literature and Foreign Languages offers the Ph.D. degree in Comparative Literature with three tracks: Inter - literary Studies, Interdisciplinary Studies, and Science Fiction, Science, and Literature. Areas of particular strength in the Interdisc iplin ary Studies are comparative Asian and European studies; comparative ancient civilizations; gen- der and feminist studies; global cultures and post-colonialism; film and visual culture studies; narrative and cultural translation; and science and science fiction. Interliterary Studies This program is designed for students wishing to concentrate in Compar - ative Literature as an interliterary discipline. Students examine the relation among various national literatures. They are expected to work in three of the following literatures: Chinese, English (either British or American), French, German, Classical Greek, Italian, Indonesian, Japanese, Latin, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, and Vietnamese. Permission is granted in exceptional cases to work in other literatures related to the German ic, Romance, or Slavic families, in Hebrew or Arabic literature, in other Asian Literatures, and the literatures of Africa.

Students must obtain comprehensive knowl- edge of their first literature (the major specialty), in its language, literary history, and critical scholarship. In their two other literatures, they specialize in a genre, a period, critical school or theoretical approach, always in combination with their main literature. Work in the three liter- atures must be done in the languages of these literatures.

Students entering the interliterary Ph.D. pro- gram with an M.A. in literature must take two courses from the canons (CPLT 210), CPLT 214, and CPLT 215A (or demonstrate having taken similar courses).. Course requirements are two graduate courses in a first literature, two graduate courses in a second literature, two graduate courses in a third literature, and three additional elective graduate courses in Comparative Literature.

Note Students must take at least one graduate course in each of the following four areas: European, Asian, Ancient, and Modern Litera ture.

Students entering the interliterary Ph.D. pro- gram with an M.A. in another discipline must do course work equivalent to the M.A. degree in Comparative Literature while proceeding with course work for the Ph.D. program.

Interdisciplinary Studies This program is designed for students with interests in interdis- ciplinary studies. Students examine relation- ships between literary studies and other disci- plines (such as art, ethnic studies, film, history, law, music, philosophy, political science, psychology, religious studies, science, sociology, theater). Students complete the literary require- ments of the program but substitute an appro- priate discipline for one of the second or third literatures. This option is recommended to students who enter Comparative Literature with an M.A. in a non-literary discipline.

Students entering the interdisciplinary studies Ph.D. program with an M.A. in any discipline must take two courses from the canons (CPLT 210), as well as CPLT 214 and CPLT 215A (or demonstrate having taken similar courses). In addition, course requirements are two graduate courses in each of two literatures; two courses in another discipline; and three elective gradu- ate courses in Comparative Literature. The graduate advisor may require appropriate courses on an individual basis. Note Students must take at least one graduate course in each of the following four areas: Eur - opean, Asian, Ancient, and Modern Litera ture.

Science Fiction, Science, and Literature This option is designed for students with interests in science fiction studies and the relations of sci- ence to world literature. It builds upon the cur- rent widespread interest in Science Fiction and draws on the Eaton Collection. The program is intended for students who have already com- pleted an undergraduate degree in Comparative Literature, English or kindred studies. It draws on the speculative richness of science fiction literature in a wide variety of social contexts, including the role of science in society (genetic engineering, artificial environments, nanotech- nology, etc.), race and ethnicity, and social ethics. This track interacts with existing pro- grams in the humanities, arts, social sciences and sciences. It is inherently cross-disciplinary both within the humanities, and between the humanities and sciences.

Students entering the Science Fiction, Science, and Literature Ph.D. program with an M.A. in any discipline must take courses from the following areas:

• 1. Three theory courses from among CPLT 214,

CPLT 215A, and CPLT 210 (repeatable).

• 2. Three science, science fiction theory, litera-

ture and methods courses, including CPLT 272, CPLT 273, CPLT 274, CPLT 275.

• 3. One history of science course, (PHIL 237,

PHIL 239, CHN/CLA 231, CHN/CLA 232, CPAC 134)

• 4. One course in Film and Media Studies

(SOC 211, CPLT 174, CPLT 173, MCS 175, MCS 139, MCS 146)

• 5. One course in Philosphy or Religion from

among either PHL 234, PHIL 237, PHIL 238 and PHIL 239 -- or RLST 200A, RLST 200C, and RLST 224)

• 6. One course in Social Sciences (ANTH 261,

ANTH 277, ANTH 279, CHN/CLA 141, SOC 247, SOC 261, SOC 281)

• 7. Three elective courses from any of the

groups listed above.

Among all the various courses selected there must be at least one course on non-Western materials and two graduate literature courses with readings in the original language in each of the student’s two language areas. Language areas include: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, German, Classical Greek, Italian, Indonesian, Japanese, Latin, Philipino, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, and Vietnamese. The graduate advisor may require appropriate courses on an individ- ual basis. When taking any upper-division undergraduate course listed here, the student must enroll in a 292 course.

Teaching Requirement Normally some teaching experience is required; such experience is obtained through a teaching assistantship where by a student is assigned either to Com - par ative Literature or to another program. Students are strongly recommended to take one of the pedagogy courses in the department (CPLT 222 or CPLT 301) which may be used as one of their required elective courses.

Written and Oral Qualifying Examinations The written qualifying examination consists of the following:

• 1. For a student in the track of Interliterary

Studies, the examination consists of four parts, which include the three national litera- tures that the student specializes in, with a comparative perspective, and on critical theory.

• 2. For a student in the track of Interdisciplinary

Studies, the examination consists of four parts, which include two national literatures and one non-literary discipline that the stu- dent specializes in, with a comparative per- spective, and on critical theory.

Prior to the examination for either track, students in consultation with the designated members of their committee, formulate a Special Reading List based on available departmental reading lists for each of the four parts that reflects the student's chosen fields of study and research and provides a basis for the examination.

Each of the four parts of the written examination for either the Interliterary or the Inter disc iplinary Track is a three-hour exam.

The written examinations are followed by an oral qualifying examination.

Dissertation and Final Oral Examination Candidates must write a dissertation on a topic approved by the dissertation committee and may be required to successfully undergo an oral examination on the dissertation.

Normative Time to Degree 18 quarters

CLA 027A, CLA 027B. Classical Literature in Translation. (4, 4) Descriptions under Classics.

GER 121 (E-Z). Germanic Literature in Transla tion. (4) Description under Languages and Literatures/Germanic Studies.

ITAL 139. The Divine Comedy. (4) Description under Italian.

RLST 120. The Bible, from Egypt to Exile. (4) Description under Religious Studies.

RUSN 109A, RUSN 109B, RUSN 109C. Sur vey of Russian Literature in Translation. (4, 4, 4) Descrip tion under Russian Studies.