The undergraduate program in Comparative and World Literature (CWL) is an interdisciplinary one, which provides students with a global perspective through the reading and analysis of national literatures. Students develop university-level understanding of what different cultures have in common as well as what makes each culture unique.
The study of Comparative and World Literature also seeks to establish relationships between literature and other fields, from the arts and sciences to folklore and religion. In addition to taking courses in various national literatures in the original languages and in English translation, students learn the methods and techniques of literary analysis and comparison.
The undergraduate major and minor are designed for students who wish to gain an interdisciplinary and broad liberal arts education. The undergraduate degree also provides a solid foundation for students who wish to continue work in comparative literature or in a specific national literature at the graduate level (please note that Ph.D. programs in comparative literature generally require reading knowledge of two to three languages other than English). Students find that the program offers a rich background for teaching in the humanities, liberal arts, English and foreign languages.
Upper-division courses (taken as part of the degree requirement) may be counted towards the Single Subject Teaching Credential in English (Comparative and World Literature Emphasis). For information about the Teaching Credential, please consult the Credentials Office in the College of Education.
Program Scope
Comparative Literature is a way of studying world literature. It is a literary discipline designed to go beyond the chronological, geographic and linguistic boundaries of individual national literatures.
Comparative and World Literature (B.A.) — Minimum 39 units
Core Courses (21 units)
- CWL 400GW - Approaches to Comparative and World Literature - GWAR
- HUM 690/CWL 680*: Senior Seminar: Research in the Humanities and Comparative & World Literature
- Five CWL courses (15 units). One course may be a lower-division CWL course (CWL 214 does not count toward the major).
*For those who started this program before Fall 2024, a student portfolio can substitute for this requirement.
Program Electives (18 units)
- Six upper-division literature courses
In consultation with departmental advisers, students select upper-division literature courses that reflect their chosen advising pathway. These courses may be from departments other than CWL (maximum five courses from a single literature). Up to four courses (12 units) in lower-division literature courses may be used toward the total courses / units in the major; two courses (6 units) of these may be in non-CWL literature courses.
A minimum of 40 upper division units must be completed for the degree (including upper division units required for the major, general education, electives, etc.). A student can complete this major yet not attain the necessary number of upper division units required for graduation. In this case additional upper division courses will be needed to reach the required total.
Complementary Studies
Bachelor of Arts students must complete at least twelve units of complementary studies outside of the primary prefix for the major. (Note: Students may not use an alternate prefix that is cross-listed with the primary prefix for the major.)
Students who complete two majors or a major and a minor automatically complete the complementary studies requirement. An additional way to complete complementary studies for students in the Comparative Literature major is completion of 12 units in a language other than English or in some other group of courses outside the CWL-prefix (and not cross-listed with CWL) that is approved by a major adviser (which may include, but is not limited to, languages other than English, units toward a minor or certificate, study abroad, and literature courses taught in other departments).
Students who have earned AA-T or AS-T degrees and are pursuing a similar B.A. degree at SF State are required to fulfill the Complementary Studies requirement as defined by the major department. Students should consult with a major adviser about how transfer units and/or SF State units can best be applied to this requirement in order to ensure degree completion within 60 units.
View information about the Comparative & World Literature major requirements prior to Fall 2016.
To ensure adequate planning of a student's program, all majors must consult an adviser at least once per year.
Students are advised to take CWL 400GW - Approaches to Comparative and World Literature - GWAR as early as possible in the major.
All students in the Comparative and World Literature major are urged to acquire reading competence in at least one language in addition to English.
Advising Pathways
Comparative Literature
Students following the “Comparative Literature” pathway are advised to take courses that meet the following distribution requirements:
- Two courses in a single non-English literary tradition
- One upper-division literature course taught in and focused on a non-English language/literature
- A student-defined area of focus developed in consultation with an adviser
Students following the “Comparative Literature” pathway may count up to three units of a non-literature foreign language course toward their degree.
World Literature
Students following the “World Literature” pathway are advised to take CWL 230 - World Literature and upper-division courses that meet the following distribution requirements:
- Courses should combine breadth with a student-defined area of focus developed in consultation with an adviser.
- One course may focus on one of the following topics other than literature: History or Culture from an interdisciplinary perspective; Analysis of Alternative Media (e.g., painting, music, video games, etc.).
As an incoming student, you should begin compiling a portfolio for your major. The portfolio should include your own statement of goals as well as reflect the program statement of goals. It will enhance your work in the program by helping you recognize your accomplishments and will be useful in the future when you apply for jobs or further study.
The Undergraduate Student Portfolio Checklist (pdf) is a document intended to guide you through the creation of this portfolio.