Prospective Students - Graduate

Comparative Literature

Areas of Study and Research

Students take courses in Comparative Literature and at least two other departments; each student individually structures a program of study. Areas of study and research include literary theory and history; translation and interpretation; gender studies; nationalism and postcolonialism; East and West literary relations; visual representation and culture; literature and philosophy. Faculty are affiliated with the departments of English, French and Italian, Asian Languages and Cultures, Spanish and Portuguese, Classics, Germanic and Slavic Languages and Literatures, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Anthropology, Film Studies, Communication, Theatre and Dance, Women’s Studies, and Fine Arts.

Degrees Offered

MA
Requires the Proseminar in Comparative Literature, Introduction to Literary Theory, and additional courses in Comparative Literature as well as a primary literature and a secondary literature (or area) comprising a minimum of 30 hours of course work; proficiency in two foreign languages; and an article length M.A. thesis (6 credits).

PhD
Requires the Proseminar in Comparative Literature, Introduction to Literary Theory, and additional courses in Comparative Literature, as well as a primary and a secondary literature comprising a minimum of 36 hours of coursework; 30 hours of dissertation work; comprehensive examinations; advanced proficiency in two foreign languages and a good reading knowledge of a third. Students must successfully complete the comprehensive examinations; prepare a dissertation prospectus; and write and defend their dissertations.

Admission

Graduate School Minimum Admissions Standards
Individual graduate departments may have additional or more restrictive standards by which they evaluate graduate applicants. However, the Graduate School at CU-Boulder has established minimum standards for graduate admission. Applicants must:

1. Hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university, or have done work equivalent to that required for such a degree.
   
2. Show promise of ability to pursue advanced study and research, as judged by the student’s scholastic record.
   
3. Have adequate preparation to enter graduate study in the chosen field.
   
4. Have at least a 2.75 (2.00=C) undergraduate grade point average. Note: Applicants who cannot meet this undergraduate standard may still secure regular admission if they have completed 9 semester hours of relevant graduate course work with at least a 3.25 average.
   

Comparative Literature Admissions Requirements
Applicants must:

1. Hold a B.A. and will normally have majored in a national literature. Applicants who majored in a related field and have substantial undergraduate training in literature are also encouraged to apply. Students should have at least a 3.0 GPA.
2. Complete the online application.
3. Provide a statement of purpose for MA or PhD study.
4. Provide three letters of recommendation.
5. Submit a writing sample in English of no more than 20 pages.
6. Complete the CU Comp Lit Application.
7. Provide one official transcript from each college or university attended.
8. Have satisfactory scores on the verbal and analytical writing sections of the GRE General Test (approximately 600/5.0).

In addition to the above, International Applicants must:

1. Submit TOEFL scores. Successful candidates will have minimum scores of 550/213 (computer based)/79 (internet based).
2. Provide evidence of adequate financial support to complete a program of study (if an F-1 or J-1 visa will be requested or renewed).

Applicants must visit the department website for complete program and application materials.

Financial Support Available
Financial support is available in the form of teaching assistantships (applications on website). In addition students may be nominated for university-wide competitive fellowships. Nominations for all fellowships are based on the admission application materials, no additional materials are required. Applicants are encouraged to apply for financial aid directly to the Office of Financial Aid or by calling 303-492-5091.

Application Information and Deadlines   Fall admission Yes Application deadline December 15 International application deadline December 1 Financial assistance application deadline January 1   Spring admission No   Summer admission No

All applications are updated in September. Applications and further information are available on the Comparative Literature website.

Contact Information

University of Colorado at Boulder
Comparative Literature Graduate Program
Ketchum 233
331 UCB
Boulder, CO 80309-0331
Phone: 303-492-7376
Fax: 303-492-2311
E-mail: complit@colorado.edu
Website: complit.colorado.edu