Comparative Literature

Examine the literary arts within and across languages and literary traditions.

The Bachelor of Arts degree in Comparative Literature in the College of Letters & Science provides students with tools for analyzing texts, writing, editing, translating, and thinking across disciplinary and national boundaries. Our students engage with a variety of literary traditions and historical periods, from Latin American poetry to Yiddish experimental fiction. As a major, 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. Most majors also choose to spend time in study abroad to deepen their cultural and linguistic knowledge.

Highlights

In Comp Lit, every course I took was truly paradigm-shifting, both in terms of how I read literature and how I viewed the world. Thanks to the intimate classroom environments and encouraging professors, I learned so much.
Madeline Kiyoko Zimring, class of 2017

Undergraduate Program

Curriculum 

Students of Comparative Literature explore the literary arts—including literature, theater, and film—in the original language and in translation. Majors take three courses in the department and create an individualized program in two languages of their choice. The department offers rigorous training in the following areas of strength: French, German, Italian, Hebrew/Yiddish studies, English and American literatures, Spanish and Portuguese Literatures and Cultures, Ancient Greek and Roman Studies, Slavic literatures and cultures, East Asian literatures and arts, and African and Arabic literatures. Our faculty have expertise in Critical Theory, film and media, performance studies, poetry and poetics, gender and sexuality, postcolonial theory, and Medieval, Early Modern and Renaissance studies.

Learn more at complit.berkeley.edu/undergraduate/

Minor Program

The minor program is open to all UC Berkeley students regardless of college. The minor comprises five courses— the three "core" classes required for the major (COM LIT 100, COM LIT 151-170, and COM LIT 190) along with two courses from a "secondary", or non-native language, literature.

For more information, visit complit.berkeley.edu or contact the Comparative Literature Undergraduate Major Advisor at complituga@berkeley.edu.

Declaring the Major

If you enter UC Berkeley as a freshman: complete the R&C requirement and explore lower division coursework in the major (e.g. COM LIT 20, 60AC). Begin or continue language study to prepare to explore the literary arts of other cultures and languages. Enroll in COM LIT 100(A-D).

If you enter UC Berkeley as a transfer: meet with the Undergraduate Major Advisor to discuss your second language fluency and courses needed for major requirements. Take either HUM 100 or COMLIT 100(A-D) to declare.

 To declare, email the Undergraduate Major Advisor at complituga@berkeley.edu.

What Can I Do With My Major?

As a Comparative Literature graduate, you will have a solid foundation in the humanities and the flexibility to pursue other fields of interest. Our students go on to work in a variety of professions, including journalism, media, publishing, translation, theater, and politics. They have held 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. We have many students who have gone to graduate school in various fields, as well as numerous students who have headed to medical school and law school after graduating in Comparative Literature. 

UC Berkeley offers a number of career resources for students studying Comparative Literature. The College of Letters & Science spotlights career pathways for students in the Arts & Humanities, and offers advising for undergraduates pursuing medical or health professions programs, law school, or masters and PhD programs. Additionally, Berkeley Career Engagement provides career and graduate school advising, job and internship listings, and events such as career and graduate school fairs.

Employment

Alumni have found employment in a variety of fields and industries after graduation. Examples include: 

  • Consultant
  • Grant Writer
  • High School Teacher
  • Human Resources Manager
  • Journalist
  • Musician
  • Product Manager
  • Publisher
  • Sales and Trading Analyst

Graduate Study

Alumni pursue graduate education to gain more depth of knowledge in their field as well as prepare for jobs that require advanced degrees. Examples include:

  • Art History
  • Comparative Literature
  • English Literature
  • French Literature
  • German
  • Japanese Literature
  • Journalism
  • Korean Literature
  • Law
  • Medicine
  • Psychology
  • Religion and Politics
  • Spanish

Spotlight

Pearlin Liu, class of 2023

“Studying comparative literature honed my professional capabilities. Close reading and analysis across languages built essential business skills: strategic analysis, persuasive communication, and cross-cultural fluency. Further, the program's self-directed model empowered me to pursue leadership roles of increasing complexity, from managing teams to shipping print and digital products to scaling campus-wide events.

‘Work’ skills aside, my humanities degree taught me to read deeply, think critically, and find meaning in complexity—things I will take with me beyond my career.”

Four-Year Student Timeline

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Transfer Student Timeline

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Fourth Semester

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Undergraduate Advising

Have questions about Comparative Literature or choosing a major?

Students interested in the Comparative Literature program are encouraged to meet with the department’s Undergraduate Major Advisor in Dwinelle 4118. Visit complit.berkeley.edu or email complituga@berkeley.edu for advising hours and additional information.

The College of Letters & Science helps students with non-major-specific academic topics, including major exploration, general program planning, finding campus resources, and pre-professional graduate programs. L&S College Advisors are available for in-person and virtual meetings. Visit lsadvising.berkeley.edu or email asklns@berkeley.edu.

Related Programs

Looking for programs similar to Comparative Literature? UC Berkeley also offers the following major, minor, and certificate programs:

Topics

Major Maps topic page, College of Letters & Science topic page

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