Block, Haskell M., Professor Emeritus, Docteurde Universite, 1949, University of Paris. (1975)
Brinker-Gabler, Gisela, Professor and Director of Graduate Studies, Dr. Phil., 1973, University of Cologne: European modern and contemporary literature, feminist studies in art and culture, German literature and critical theory. (1988)*
Fynsk, Christopher I., Professor and Department Chair, PhD, 1981, Johns Hopkins University: Modern philosophy and literature, philosophy of language, psychoanalysis, theory of criticism in literature and art. (1981)
Garber, Frederick, Distinguished Professor , PhD, 1963, Yale University: European and American romanticism, modern poetry, literature and art. (1966)
Keenan, Thomas, Assistant Professor, PhD, 1990, Yale University: Literary and political theory, media studies, ethics, humanitarianism and human rights. (1997)
Kohler, Michael, Assistant Professor, PhD (expected 1998), The Johns Hopkins University: 19th- and 20th-century European and American poetry, modern theatre (joint appointment with Theatre). (1998)
Levinson, Brett, Assistant Professor, PhD, 1991, University of Wisconsin-Madison: Hispanic literatures, modern theory. (1995)
Pavlovskis-Petit, Zoja, Professor, PhD, 1962, Cornell University: Classical Greek and Latin literature, satire, irony, mythology. (1962)
Rose, Marilyn Gaddis, Distinguished Service Professor , PhD, 1958, University of Missouri: Modern Anglo-Irish, American, and French literatures, translation, literature and art. (1968)
Young, Cynthia, Lecturer, PhD (expected 1998), Yale University: Modern African-American literature and film, comparative Africana studies (joint appointment with Africana Studies). (1998)
Associated Faculty
Bidney, Martin P., Professor, PhD, 1971, Indiana University: 19th-century English literature, Russian literature, Blake. (1969)
Coates, Carrol F., Associate Professor, PhD, 1964, Yale University: 19th century French poetry and novel; Francophone literatures (Canadien, Caribbean, African), comparative literature. (1963)
Okpewho, Isidore, Professor, PhD, 1976, University of Denver: Classics, African literature, African-American literature, folklore and mythology, and creative writing. (1991)
Ross, Stephen D., Professor, PhD, 1961, Columbia University: Metaphysics, philosophy of art, philosophy of language, philosophical anthropology. (1967) Spanos, William V., Professor, PhD, 1964, University of Wisconsin: Literary theory, literature and philosophy, modern and postmodern Anglo-American and European poetry and fiction. (1966)
Spanos, William V., Professor, PhD, 1964, University of Wisconsin: Literary theory, literature and philosophy, modern and postmodern Anglo-American and European poetry and fiction. (1966)
Sticca, Sandro, Professor, PhD, 1966, Columbia University: Medieval Latin, Italian, and French literatures. (1964)
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REQUIREMENTS
Students work closely with the departmental director of graduate studies and their own program director (in the case of MA students in Plan D and of PLC students), in formulating and pursuing a curriculum which meets their needs and maintains the standards of the discipline. While the normal pattern of requirements for the MA and PhD degrees is described below, students may have certain courses waived on consideration of their previous training and professional goals.
All applicants must submit scores for the verbal, quantitative, and analytical Graduate Record Examination aptitude test.
International students whose native language is not English, and have not received a degree in the United States are required to submit Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores. The minimum TOEFL score for admission to the Department of Comparative Literature is 600.
| credits | |
| COLI 501 Methodologies | 4 |
| First literature | 12 to 16 |
| Second literature or minor | 8 to 12 |
| Electives | 0 to 4 |
| COLI 599. Thesis | 4 |
| TOTAL | 32 |
Note: Students choosing this option must present evidence that they have written at least two term papers in comparative literature courses, totaling approximately 50 pages, in which they obtained a grade of B or better.
Plan C. Double degree with MAT in English; eleven courses (without thesis):
| credits | |
| Comparative Literature Component | |
| COLI 501. Methodologies | 4 |
| Second literature or minor | 8 |
| (one of these courses must satisfy English elective) | |
| English component (i.e., first literature) | 20 |
| ENG 500. Introduction to English Language | |
| Chaucer or Milton | |
| Shakespeare | |
| Electives (two courses, one of which must satisfy the comparative literature minor) | |
| Professional Education, including semester internship | 16 |
| TOTAL | 48 |
Plan D. Translation studies; eight courses:
| credits | |
| COLI 501. | 4 |
| COLI 571A. Modern Language Bibliography | 2 |
| Independent study in literature or in translation, or Teaching Literature (COLI 591) | |
| COLI 572. Literary Translation and COLI 573, | 8 |
| Non-Literary Translation, or two semesters of COLI 572 or COLI 599, MA Thesis (translation option), and COLI 572, one semester | |
| COLI 580. Topics in Translation theory
Linguistics, language theory or history as suited to individual program needs | 4 |
| Literature in source languages (2 courses) | 8 |
| TOTAL | 30 |
Languages
Normally, MA candidates are expected to use two foreign languages in
the course of their studies, as well as to show an adequate command of
English. Students offering English or American literature as their major
or minor must demonstrate, by examination, a reading knowledge of a second
foreign language. This requirement is waived if the candidate has had three
semesters of courses in the language with a grade of at least B in the
last semester, or completes an intensive language course for reading comprehension
with a grade of A. The two-language requirement does not apply to Plan C.
Teaching Requirement
Graduate students in comparative literature, including MA students,
are expected, in accordance with state regulations, to acquire competence
as teachers. This requirement is normally fulfilled by teaching a foreign
language at the beginning or intermediate level; or an introductory literature
and composition course; or, in the case of advanced students, an undergraduate
comparative literature course. Those students who do not have the opportunity
to teach, or who choose not to do so, may register for COLI 591, Teaching
Literature, a four-credit course in pedagogy, including some classroom
practice, and count it toward the fulfillment of course requirements. Students
who have had teaching experience elsewhere may ask the department to have
the teaching requirement waived.
Examinations
The take-home written examination for the MA consists of three sections
(literature, theory, and literary specialization) and is taken by all candidates.
Plans A, B, and C. Students following Plan C, double degree with MAT in
English, take additionally the MAT in English examination. Students following
Plan D, translation studies, take the normal four-hour certificate examina
tion, as well as the sections of the MA examination appropriate to their
area of interest. Students wishing to qualify for study toward the doctorate
must achieve a grade of B+ or better on all sections of the examination.
A grade of B or better on each section constitutes a passing grade. These
examinations are given in November, and, when necessary, also in April;
they may be repeated once. Students may petition to take the MA examination
in April of the academic year in which they have entered the program.
Thesis
Students who choose this option ordinarily prepare an extended critical
study in one of the areas of comparative literature. At the discretion
of the departmental faculty, students may do an edited translation in lieu
of a thesis.
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Requirements
Students are expected to design their own curriculum expressing their scholarly interests and their professional goals, and to prepare their own reading lists in consultation with members of the faculty. All PhD students are encouraged to seek the guidance of an advisor at the beginning of their studies, to assist them in designing their program and choosing a dissertation topic. Ideally, a student should prepare an initial draft of a dissertation prospectus by the end of the first year of study beyond the MA, and they should have a provisional idea for a dissertation topic before taking the comprehensives. Submission of a formal dissertation prospectus for the approval of the department is expected within a few weeks after the student has passed the exams.
Doctoral students must acquire a solid mastery of bibliographical tools and research methods. This requirement is normally fulfilled, unless the student has received adequate training in bibliography elsewhere, by taking COLI 571A, Modern Languages Bibliography.
The minimal course requirement for the PhD is 16 semester courses. Ordinarily, at least eight courses are taken in the major, and approximately the same number of courses is distributed between the minor, literary theory, electives, etc. Graduate courses taken at Binghamton University or elsewhere may be allowed to satisfy these requirements. The minimum residence requirement for the doctorate is two semesters.
Comparative literature courses at Binghamton are, basically, of two kinds: broadly-based seminars covering the evolution of a genre, the history of criticism, etc., or monographic-type courses concentrating on one or more authors, a development in literature or in literary theory, a particular interdisciplinary approach, etc. A student's program should aim at achieving the objectives of the program through a balance between the study of literary history, theory, and the comparative study of specific works and authors. In addition to the courses and seminars offered by the Comparative Literature Department, the students are encouraged to take courses offered by other departments in their fields of specialization. It is highly advisable for students to take courses in other disciplines (art history, history, women's studies, philosophy, etc.) when these contribute to broadening the scope of their programs.
A reading knowledge of at least three foreign languages, including French, is required. One of those languages should be a classical language, usually Latin or Greek (usually two semesters). When appropriate to the individual program, other classical languages may be allowed to fulfill this requirement. In general, the chosen languages should represent the research tools needed for each individual program. For the fulfillment of the language requirement, see under "Languages'' above. An adequate command of written English is also expected of all comparative literature students.
Comprehensive Examination
The comprehensive examination consists of five parts:
Students choose an examination committee (subject to the approval of the graduate director) with a minimum of three examiners. The field paper will be evaluated by a principal examiner and a second reader, and the complete written examination will be available to all examiners. Reading lists for parts two, three, and four of the examination should be developed through close collaboration with the examination committee and must be handed in to the graduate director no later than the first week of the semester in which the examination will be taken. After the lists have been approved by the department faculty, the examination will be scheduled. The field paper must be submitted no later than March 15 for an examination in the spring semester and October 15 for an examination in the fall semester. The oral examination should take place no later than in the last two weeks of classes. Students who entered the program before Fall 1994 have the option of taking the former nine-topic examination.
Students earn a PhD in comparative literature with a specialization in the theory of criticism, as well as an MA in philosophy. Graduates are qualified to teach in departments of philosophy, English, comparative literature, and national literatures, provided they have completed the appropriate supplementary work. Administered by the Comparative Literature Department, the program is supervised directly by a program committee.
Admission to the Program
Qualified students holding a bachelor's or master's degree are eligible for admission. Applicants must submit scores of the verbal, quantitative, and analytical Graduate Record Examinations, as well as a sample of their writing. An undergraduate specialization in philosophy or literature is desirable but not essential for admission. Students considered insufficiently prepared for work in the program may be required to do additional work to make up deficiencies.
During the first year of study, each student is considered to be enrolled in a master's level program. At the end of their third semester, students take a four-hour qualifying examination covering some of the core material of the program and approximately one-third of the comprehensive examination reading list. Students who fail the examination may take it once again. Students not admitted to the doctoral level may be permitted to continue work toward an MA in philosophy, comparative literature, or a national literature, according to the requirements of the appropriate department.
Course Requirements
The minimum course requirements for the PhD are 16 courses including the following:
| History sequence (the relevant courses are announced each semester) | 3 courses |
| Contemporary criticism | 1 course |
| Methodologies | 1 course |
| Theory of language, theory of interpretation, major theoretical topics or figures | 4 courses |
| Literature courses leading to specialization | 6 courses |
The PLC Program draws on a rich resource faculty that includes:
Comparative Literature
Gaddis Rose, Marilyn
Garber, Frederick M.
Pavlovskis-Petit, Zoja
English
Boyce Davies, Carole
Spanos, William V.
Philosophy
Allen, Jeffner M.
Dillon, Martin
Pensky, Max A.
Art History
Tagg, John
History
Haver, William
Latin American and Caribbean Area Studies
Lugones, Maria
ADMISSION TO CANDIDACY
The dissertation prospectus (see above, under PhD Requirements) is normally prepared in close consultation with the instructor chosen by the student to direct the dissertation; once it is approved by the departmental faculty, a dissertation committee is named and submitted to the vice provost for final approval. The committee consists, normally, of three members, including the director, to which a fourth reader, from a department other than comparative literature, is added when the dissertation is in the final stages of preparation. Once formally admitted to candidacy, after having passed the comprehensive examination, the student has five years in which to complete and defend the dissertation.
DISSERTATION
This should be comparative in its scope and implications, and demonstrate the student's ability to deal with theoretical problems and to organize and present the research methodically. In general, a dissertation should not be less than 200 pages in its final form. At the discretion of the comparative literature faculty, a student may do an extended critical translation as a dissertation. This includes an introductory study equivalent in substance to what is required of the other type of dissertation. The Graduate School requires that the candidate, while working on the dissertation, register for one credit hour of COLI 699.
On the initial approval of the dissertation by its readers, the candidate is expected to defend it at an oral examination lasting from one to two hours.
The comparative literature degree programs
in translator training, administered by the department, are described
in this same section.
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COLI 110, 111. INTRODUCTION TO WORLD LITERATURE
Study of literatures of various cultures and historical epochs. Examination
of the relationship of ancient (Egyptian, Persian, Hebrew, Arab, Greek,
or Roman) and modern (Western and non-Western) literatures. Includes comparison
of contemporary literatures of the First and Third Worlds. Two course sequence;
courses may be taken independently.
COLI 211. TOPICS IN WORLD LITERATURE
Interdisciplinary study of the literature and cultural production of
Western and non-Western worlds. Topics, selected by individual instructor,
determines choice of texts. May be repeated for credit.
COLI 212. LITERATURE AND ART
Comparative study of representative works of literature and art, as
determined by instructor, reflected in course title. May be repeated for credit.
COLI 214. LITERATURE AND SOCIETY
Relationship of literature to political and social concerns. Compares
and contrasts Western and non-Western social structures and cultural productions.
COLI 230. MYTHOLOGY
Classical myth in ancient literature and art. Myth as theology, cosmology,
explanation of psychological and social phenomena. Correlations between
history and mythology. Modern schools of myth interpretation.
COLI 240. THE FAIRY TALE
Study of the fairy tale as oral and written literature reflecting various
historical and anthropological factors and condi tions. Fairy tales as
vehicles for passing on traditional beliefs and morals. The history of
modern study of fairy tales. Morphology and classification.
COLI 321. COMPARATIVE STUDIES OF A GENRE
History, development, and definition of specific genre, as determined
by instructor and reflected in course title. May be repeated for credit.
COLI 331. COMPARATIVE STUDY OF SPECIAL TOPICS
Transmission and development of one or more literary themes, types
or motifs, as determined by instructor and reflected in course title. May
be repeated for credit.
COLI 472. TRANSLATION WORKSHOP: LITERARY
COLI 473. TRANSLATION WORKSHOP: NON-LITERARY every semester
Theory and problems of translation, development of translation skills.
Translation of foreign language into English. Prerequisite: fluency in
foreign language and consent of instructor.
COLI 481. METHODOLOGIES AND MASTERPIECES TUTORIAL
This course combines a guided reading program with an introduction
to methodological principles for literary analy sis in a comparative perspective.
It is the final course for the comparative literature major and is open
only to upper -division students specializing in comparative literature,
or by permission of the instructor.
COLI 491. PRACTICUM IN COLLEGE TEACHING variable credit
Independent study through teaching in particular course in comparative
literature. Various assignments closely directed by instructor in that
course, including development of syllabi and other course materials; construction
and reading of examinations; lecturing and/or discussion leadership; laboratory
supervision; academic counseling of students. May be repeated for a total
of no more than 8 credits. Credit may not be earned in conjunction with
a course in which a student is concurrently enrolled. Does not satisfy
major or all-college requirements. Prerequisite: consent of instructor
and department. P/F only.
COLI 497. INDEPENDENT STUDY variable credit
Independent study under direct supervision of faculty member. Prior
to registration, student must consult proposed supervisor to receive approval
of project and of course credit. Prerequisite: consent of department.
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COLI 512. COMPARATIVE STUDIES IN THE RENAISSANCE
COLI 513. COMPARATIVE STUDIES IN 17TH-CENTURY LITERATURE
COLI 514. COMPARATIVE STUDIES IN 18TH-CENTURY LITERATURE
COLI 515. COMPARATIVE STUDIES IN ROMANTICISM
COLI 516. COMPARATIVE STUDIES IN LATER 19TH-CENTURY LITERATURE
COLI 517. COMPARATIVE STUDIES IN MODERN LITERATURE
COLI 521. HISTORY OF THE NOVEL I
The novel from its beginnings to the Renaissance.
COLI 522. HISTORY OF THE NOVEL II
The novel from the Renaissance to the mid-18th century.
COLI 523. HISTORY OF THE NOVEL III
The novel from the mid-18th century through modernism.
COLI 524. CONTEMPORARY FICTION
Studies in varieties of contemporary fiction.
COLI 531. LITERARY THEMES
Studies in the history and manifestations of a selected theme.
COLI 535. TOPICS IN LITERATURE
Studies in literature and its relation with other discourses.
COLI 541. COMPARATIVE STUDIES IN MAJOR AUTHORS OR MASTERWORKS
Two or more major authors or works. Content and title determined by
instructor. May be repeated for credit.
COLI 568. HISTORY OF CRITICISM AND THEORY I
Ancient classical, medieval, and Renaissance literary theory and criticism.
COLI 569. HISTORY OF CRITICISM AND THEORY II
Readings in literary theory, criticism, and aesthetics of the 18th and 19th centuries.
COLI 570. HISTORY OF CRITICISM AND THEORY III
Literary theory and criticism of the 20th century.
COLI 571. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Bibliographical methods in literary research. Principles and methods
of descriptive and textual bibliography; solution of practical problems
with reference to literary texts.
COLI 572-573. TRANSLATION WORKSHOP
Development of translation skills. Prerequisite: fluency in a foreign
language. May be repeated for credit, not to exceed a total of eight hours.
572. Literary; 573. Non-Literary.
COLI 574. TOPICS IN CRITICISM AND LITERARY THEORY
Advanced study of criticism and literary theory. Content and title
determined by instructor. May be repeated for credit.
COLI 580. TOPICS IN TRANSLATION
Advanced work in translation theory.
COLI 591. TEACHING LITERATURE 1-4 credits
Guided experience in presenting literary texts in class room.
COLI 597. INDEPENDENT STUDY 1-12 credits
COLI 599. MA THESIS 1-4 credits
COLI 691. SEMINAR IN COMPARATIVE LITERATURE
Problems in literary history, form, or theory. Content and title determined
by instructor. May be repeated for credit.
COLI 698. PREDISSERTATION RESEARCH 1-9 credits/semester
Independent reading and/or research in preparation for comprehensive
examinations for admission to PhD candidacy, and/or preparation of dissertation
prospectus. S/U grading only.
COLI 699. DISSERTATION 1-12 credits/semester
Research for and preparation of the dissertation.
COLI 700. CONTINUOUS REGISTRATION 1 credit/semester
Required for maintenance of matriculated status in graduate program.
No credit toward graduate degree requirements.
COLI 707. RESEARCH SKILLS 1-4 credits
Development of research skills required within graduate programs. May
not be applied toward course credits for any graduate degree. Prerequisite:
approval of relevant graduate program directors or department chairs.
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