Apr 26, 2024  
2023-2024 Graduate Catalog 
    
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2023-2024 Graduate Catalog

Comparative Literary Studies Graduate Certificate
Department: Dean’s Office
 
 
The Comparative Literary Studies Graduate Certificate offers a comprehensive graduate program of comparative study and research. Linked to the Department of English but not limited to it, the students take core courses in research, bibliography, approaches to critical theory, and develop a comparative study, part of which is often grounded in literature or rhetoric. The Certificate culminates with an individualized comparative course (Directed Study) that allows students to engage in the practice of comparative research and results in a research paper, possibly publishable, on an aspect of the focus area(s) of inquiry.
 
Through a thematic or conceptual cluster of five graduate‐level courses in two disciplines, students can explore how different national literatures are interconnected, and/or how different literatures relate contextually and culturally to other disciplines, such as art, music, history, psychology, philosophy, politics, among others. This Certificate, owing to the personalized design of each student’s program, appeals to students of diverse backgrounds and interests and their desire to connect literary and aesthetic study to history, foreign languages, philosophy, religion, politics, and cultural studies.By completing this certificate, students will have an excellent formation in comparative or interdisciplinary studies. Graduates may decide to further their studies in comparative studies, literature, or their other discipline(s) of focus. This Certificate enhances teaching and research credentials, as well as possibilities for employment in the arts, publishing, broadcasting, journalism, and government.

Graduate Certificate Admissions and Process

Students must apply and be admitted into the Graduate Certificate to be eligible to receive a Graduate Certificate. Applicants are encouraged to contact the Graduate Certificate Director prior to applying. 

Applicants must meet the following admission requirements:

  1. University Admission Requirements, including English Proficiency    
  2. Graduate Certificate Admission Requirements    
​

Curriculum Requirements (15 Credit Hours)

Students will develop an individualized curriculum plan in conjunction with the Graduate Certificate Program Coordinator and the Graduate Director. Normally, course selection will involve two or three courses in the English Department, but

  • Any graduate‐level English Lit., Rhetoric, or course in student’s other declared discipline; for English MA and PhD,
  • Credit Hours: 3

  •  

  • Credit Hours: 3

  • or

  • Credit Hours: 3

  • or

  • a theory‐rich course in English Literature.

  •  

  • One graduate‐level literature course in English, American or World Literature OR graduate‐level course in student’s other discipline.

  •  

    And select two elective courses.

     

    • One graduate‐level course in a discipline other than English, usually in the Humanities, Foreign Languages, Philosophy, History, Religion, Theatre, Communications,etc. The course should contribute to the student’s proposed area of comparative research.    
    • Directed Study‐An individual reading and research course resulting in a graduate‐level research paper of 15‐25 pages with a comparative and/or interdisciplinary focus (related optimally to the courses in theory, literature, and elective discipline).

Graduate Certificate Time Limit

Five (5) Years.

Graduate Certificate Completion

For procedures to confirm completion of the Graduate Certificate, please refer to the website.