Comparative literature is the study of cultural expression across linguistic boundaries. At Brown, the Department of Comparative Literature is distinct in its conviction that literary research and instruction must be international in character, and its undergraduate and graduate programs are considered among the finest in the country. Undergraduate students study a generous range of literary works – from Western cultures, both ancient and modern, to Chinese, Japanese, and Arabic – to develop a critical understanding of how cultures differ from one another.
Comparative Literature
Comparative Literature
Comparative Literature
In the spirit of Brown's Open Curriculum, a concentration in Comparative Literature affords great academic freedom.
The graduate program in Comparative Literature at Brown offers a vigorous and comprehensive exploration of literature and culture.
Recent News
Check out the latest news in CompLit@Brown. You can find more stories on the News & Events page.
Born in East Berlin, Uljana Wolf is an acclaimed German translator, poet, and essayist. Throughout her career, she has published numerous books of original poetry and poetry translations.
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The Cogut Institute for the Humanities at Brown University promotes collaborative research and academic innovation in the humanities and across multiple disciplines at the University, while their fellowships program brings together faculty, postdoctoral, graduate, and undergraduate fellows to share research in a group setting.
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The United States – India Educational Foundation (USIEF) promotes mutual understanding between the nationals of India and the U.S. through the educational exchange of outstanding scholars, professionals and students. Since its inception, USIEF has awarded approximately 20,000 Fulbright, Fulbright-Nehru, and other prestigious grants and scholarships in almost every academic discipline.
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The Ruth Simmons Prize is awarded annually for an outstanding honors thesis on questions having to do with women or gender. In the spring, the Pembroke Center invites faculty in all fields to nominate honors theses for the prize. A committee of faculty who teach and write in the area of gender studies will make the selection.
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The English Department at Northwestern University is an active community comprised of renowned scholars whose teaching and research involve a variety of literary, cultural, and creative fields.
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The Joukowsky Family Foundation Outstanding Dissertation Award is an annual prize awarded by the Graduate School for superior achievements in research by students who are completing their Ph.Ds.
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The Brown Daily Herald
BDH Interviews Prof. Dore Levy for Article on Women in Higher Education
Women faculty discuss ‘earning space’ in higher education institutions, from undergrad to today. According to Professor of Comparative Literature and East Asian Studies Dore Levy, harassment against women was common in the classroom. “We just thought that a professor propositioning to us was the price of doing business,” she said.
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Clare Kearns joins the Comparative Literature Department as a master’s student as part of Brown Graduate School’s Open Graduate Education program.
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The Charles Bernheimer Prize goes to the best dissertation nominated by a department or program. The dissertation must have been defended in the year prior to July 1, 2022 and each institution may nominate one dissertation in the field of comparative literature.
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