Reed College
Reed College

Comparative Literature

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the Comparative Literature major, a student will have demonstrated that they can complete a comparative literary study that reaches beyond individual national canons or engages in detail with other theoretical approaches, complete a sustained research project, and present their work in writing and in discussion. Majors will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate a facility with the work and methods of Comparative Literature:
    • demonstrate an awareness and understanding of the methods and approaches of comparative literature;
    • demonstrate an awareness and understanding of the methods and terminology distinctive to literary analysis and/or literary theory and/or literary history;
    • build a comparative argument that brings together more than one text or medium or historical period, or negotiating relations between literature and theory;
    • analyze literary texts or films closely and carefully;
    • read at least one language other than English;
    • successfully incorporate secondary sources into the analysis of the primary objects of analysis;
    • build an argument that provides a unified approach to that analysis.
  2. Execute and defend a significant independent research project:
    • formulate an interesting thesis topic;
    • develop and pursue a critical methodology appropriate to the research topic;
    • independently investigate that topic with the support of an advisor;
    • incorporate sources in a language other than English as appropriate.
  3. Communicate work done:
    • write a clear and coherent document that is substantially longer than a traditional term paper or project and formatted in a style appropriate to the approach;
    • orally present, discuss and defend work done.

The primary assessment tool for learning in the major at Reed and the level of student achievement in the major area is the senior thesis; the junior qualifying examination, which assesses a student's readiness for thesis, provides a second assessment tool. For more information on the thesis, the Junior Qualifying Exam and the academic program, see Information for Majors.