The Program in Comparative and World Literature at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, offers two undergraduate majors: Comparative Literature (which requires advanced work in at least one non-English language and literature), and World Literature, which has no language requirement. We encourage our majors to look in to the possibility of Study Abroad.

Both majors provide a sound general education which can lead in any number of career directions. Many of our majors go on to graduate school in literature, of course, but many more majors head for other fields: law school, editing and publishing, library science, translation, international studies, diplomacy, medical school, sociology, political science, divinity school, and many other professions. Alumni have repeatedly confirmed to us the effectiveness of Comparative and World Literature in preparing them for their chosen careers: critical analysis, foreign language proficiency, writing skills. Recent graduates have gone on to graduate school at Harvard and UCLA, postdoctoral fellowships at Stanford, and careers in teaching and filmmaking.

If you're considering a major in Comparative Literature, contact the undergraduate advisor, who will assist you in choosing courses for the major itself that will also support your career goals. Study abroad is encouraged and can be counted toward the major.

In addition to majors in Comparative Literature and World Literature, the Program also offers a minor in World Literature (the minor has two tracks, Western and Non-Western).