Introduction to the Major
The Comparative Literature major provides students with tools for analyzing texts, writing, editing, translating, and thinking across disciplinary and national boundaries. You will have the opportunity to pursue rigorous research in a variety of literatures according to your interests, engage in team-based projects, participate in discussions about political, aesthetic, and social issues, and develop a nuanced cross-cultural understanding of historical and social processes.
Our students go on to work in a variety of professions, including journalism, media, publishing, translation, theater, and politics as well as in many roles in the legal, corporate, social, medical, and arts sectors. Additionally, we prepare our students to enter top graduate programs in the United States and abroad.
"I want to emphasize how wonderful the professors I had were, not just as instructors but also as people."
- Marica Petrey, class of 2012
Student Experience
Our students have close contact with cutting edge scholars in their fields in a small classroom setting, with extensive individualized work. Our undergrad majors publish and edit their own journal of comparative literature (CLUJ) and run an annual research conference. Most majors also choose to spend time in study abroad to deepen their cultural and linguistic knowledge.
Amplify Your Major
- Present your research at the annual Undergraduate Research Symposium.
- Join a student publication such as the Comparative Literature Undergraduate Journal or Cal Literature & Arts Magazine.
- Deepen your cultural and linguistic knowledge through study abroad.
- Develop connections with students and faculty through Berkeley Connect.
- Strengthen your skills and graduate school prospects with honors research.
First Year
Explore Your Major
- Meet with your major and college advisor to discuss your academic plans.
- Familiarize yourself with major and college requirements.
- Enroll in L&S 1, HUM 10 (Compass Courses), a R&C course in Comparative Literature, and a beginning language course.
Connect and Build Community
- Get 1:1 mentoring with Berkeley Connect.
- Find study groups, tutoring, and academic support at the Student Learning Center.
- Enroll in L&S 98: College Success in L&S.
Discover Your Passions
- Discover new interests in a Freshman Seminar or student-run DeCal course.
- Visit the Office of Undergraduate Research and Scholarships.
- Find research and funding opportunities in the OURS database.
Engage Locally and Globally
- Attend the Calapalooza student activities fair and get involved with a student organization.
- Find service opportunities through the Public Service Center.
- Explore study, internship, and research abroad options with Berkeley Study Abroad.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
- Visit Berkeley Career Engagement and the Career Counseling Library.
- Develop a plan for getting career ready.
- Set up a Handshake account and sign up for CareerMail.
- Explore career fields in the Career Connections Networking Series.
Second Year
Explore Your Major
- Meet with the major advisor to discuss lower division coursework and declaring the major.
- Talk to Comparative Literature peer advisors about life in the major.
- Review the major guidelines for study abroad.
Connect and Build Community
- Join a student publication such as the Comparative Literature Undergraduate Journal or Cal Literature & Arts Magazine.
- Get to know professors and graduate student instructors during their office hours.
- Subscribe to the Comparative Literature email list and start attending department events.
Discover Your Passions
- Continue exploring with a Sophomore Seminar, Big Ideas Course or Discovery Course.
- Assist faculty in their research through URAP.
Engage Locally and Globally
- Contribute to a community organization with an American Cultures Engaged Scholarship course.
- Go on a service-learning trip with the Alternative Breaks Program.
- Consider a Berkeley Global Internship in the United States or abroad.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
- Discuss career options and goals with a Career Educator.
- Check out the Cal Job Shadow Program.
- Learn about graduate and professional school. See Step-by-Step for planning help.
- Think about doing an internship and attend an internship fair.
Third Year
Explore Your Major
- Begin working through your upper division primary and secondary literature courses.
- Focus on upper division coursework including Introduction to Comparative Literature and Comparative Literature period courses.
- Review your degree progress with your major and college advisor.
Connect and Build Community
- Give back by becoming a Comparative Literature peer advisor.
- Consider becoming a Golden Bear Orientation Leader.
- Work with peers and graduate students in HUM 196: Mentored-Research and Discovery Groups.
Discover Your Passions
- Teach your own DeCal course.
- Planning a senior thesis or project? Talk with the major advisor or apply to the Haas Scholars Program.
- Curious about entrepreneurship? Enroll in HUM120: Entrepreneurship for All.
Engage Locally and Globally
- Apply for a leadership position in your student organization.
- Experience life at another UC or college on a visitor and exchange program.
- Study abroad through UCEAP, or intern in Washington D.C. with UCDC or Cal in the Capital.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
- Learn about career fields and conduct informational interviews with people in those fields.
- Discuss graduate school options with advisors and professors.
- Create or update your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- Attend career and graduate school fairs.
Fourth Year
Explore Your Major
- Do a degree check to ensure you are on track to graduate.
- Finish remaining major, college, and campus requirements.
- Complete any “bucket list” courses.
- Complement your major with a certificate, course thread, or summer minor.
Connect and Build Community
- Get support for your thesis project in the Townsend Honors Thesis Workshop.
- Connect with alumni groups and build your network as you prepare to graduate.
Discover Your Passions
- Undertake an optional honors thesis or independent study.
- Present at the annual Undergraduate Research Symposium.
- Consider submitting your work to the Comparative Literature Undergraduate Journal.
Engage Locally and Globally
- Hone your leadership skills with the Peter E. Haas Public Service Leaders program.
- Explore service opportunities after graduation, such as Peace Corps, Teach for America, or U.S. Department of State.
- Keep pursuing your interests through a fellowship or gap year after graduation.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
- Utilize job board tools in your job search.
- Ask professors and graduate student instructors for recommendation letters.
- Attend Employer Info Sessions and On-Campus Recruiting.
- Apply to jobs, graduate school, and other opportunities.
Jobs and Employers
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Eng. Teacher in France, TAPIF
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Fellow, AmeriCorps
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Freelance Journalist/Musician
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Grant Writer, Fr. Joe’s Villages
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Psychologist, Private Practice
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Tax Consulting, Deloitte
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Teacher, Pacific Boychoir Academy
- Teacher, Teach for America
Graduate Programs
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Art History, PhD
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Chinese Literature, Masters
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Comparative Literature, Masters
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E. Asian Languages & Cultures, PhD
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English Literature, PhD
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French Literature, PhD
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German, MA, PhD
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Journalism, MA
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Korean Literature, MA
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Law, JD
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Medicine, MD
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Modern Japanese Lit., PhD
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Psychology, PhD
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Religions and Politics, PhD
- Spanish, MA, PhD
Examples gathered from the First Destination Survey of recent Berkeley graduates and from Comparative Literature Alumni Stories
Connect With Us
Cal Day
Come to Berkeley’s annual Open House in April for information sessions, campus tours, special talks, and more.
Golden Bear Orientation
Join your peers in the campus-wide UC Berkeley orientation program for all new students.
Events
Attend department events with students, staff, and faculty. Visit complit.berkeley.edu for news and updates.
Advising
Students can drop-in to 4118 Dwinelle Hall to speak with a major advisor, call at (510) 982-6181, or email questions to complituga@berkeley.edu.
Advising Drop-In Hours
Tuesday - Thursday, 9am-12pm, 1-4pm.
How to Use this Map
Use this map to help plan and guide your experience at UC Berkeley, including academic, co-curricular, and discovery opportunities. Everyone’s Berkeley experience is different and activities in this map are suggestions. Always consult with your advisors whenever possible for new opportunities and updates.
