Graduate Field
Comparative Literature
Program Description
The field of comparative literature at Cornell offers a Ph.D. degree in all major areas of literary study and literary and cultural theory. The field’s size (about 20 students) enables it to offer diverse, innovative, and interdisciplinary programs of study.
Entering students design a program in consultation with the field committee, which is chaired by the director of graduate studies. Areas of concentration and principal advisors (the special committee) should be selected by the end of the third semester of residence. Because coursework is completed within three years, the student should have proficiency in two foreign languages. Those intending to specialize in a foreign literature are strongly encouraged to acquire fluency in the relevant language. Students normally take 12 courses. All candidates are required to do at least one year of classroom teaching as part of the doctoral program.
The second-year review takes place in the third term. Its aim is to enable students to begin focusing on the topics and the fields of research that will form the basis of their A exams. The admission to candidacy (A) examination is usually taken in the third year of study and is both written and oral.
The department does not offer a terminal M.A. program (and consequently does not admit students seeking only that degree), but an M.A. degree is granted after satisfactory completion of the A examination. The student then begins work on a dissertation, which upon completion is defended at the oral final (B) examination, administered by the special committee.
Concentrations
Program Information
- Program Mode of Delivery: In Person
- Program Location: Ithaca, NY
Program Requirements
- Six semesters of GRAD research course enrollment
- 36 credits of coursework
- Minimum Semesters for Degree: 6
Graduate School Milestones
- Responsible Conduct of Research Training: Required
- Open Researcher and Contributor ID (ORCID): Required
- Student Progress Reviews (SPR) begin: Second Year
- Examination for admission to candidacy (A Exam): Before seventh semester begins
- Defense of Dissertation (B Exam): Spring of sixth year
Field Specific Milestones
- Field progress reviews conducted first and second years
- Six semesters of teaching assistantship required
Course Requirements
Additional course requirements may be set by the student’s Special Committee. Program specific requirements that apply to all students are included below.
Year 1 (Fall)
Year 2 (Fall)
Other Course Requirements
- 12 graduate seminars of the student's choosing with advisor oversight
Graduate School Enrollment Requirements
Course Requirements
- Course requirements are determined by the student’s Special Committee.
- Enrollment in a GRAD research course or the equivalent field specific research course is expected of all students each semester through graduation. These courses include:
University Graduation Requirements
Requirements for All Students
In order to receive a Cornell degree, a student must satisfy academic and non-academic requirements.
Academic Requirements
A student’s college determines degree requirements such as residency, number of credits, distribution of credits, and grade averages. It is the student’s responsibility to be aware of the specific major, degree, distribution, college, and graduation requirements for completing their chosen program of study. See the individual requirements listed by each college or school or contact the college registrar’s office for more information.
Non-academic Requirements
Conduct Matters. Students must satisfy any outstanding sanctions, penalties or remedies imposed or agreed to under the Student Code of Conduct (Code) or Policy 6.4. Where a formal complaint under the Code or Policy 6.4 is pending, the University will withhold awarding a degree otherwise earned until the adjudication process set forth in those procedures is complete, including the satisfaction of any sanctions, penalties or remedies imposed.
Financial Obligations. Outstanding financial obligations will not impact the awarding of a degree otherwise earned or a student’s ability to access their official transcript. However, the University may withhold issuing a diploma until any outstanding financial obligations owing to the University are satisfied.
Admissions
Application Requirements and Deadlines
Application Deadlines
Fall, December 1; no spring admission
Requirements Summary
Applicants are required to submit a writing sample and a statement of purpose and to demonstrate proficiency in two foreign literatures (through, for instance, coursework or study abroad).
Admissions Contact Information
Email: complit@cornell.edu
Phone: 607-255-2445
Campus Address: 240 Goldwin Smith Hall
Website: https://complit.cornell.edu/
