Students examine literature across languages, geographic location, time periods, and genres by pursuing the comparative literature minor. The discipline also explores the relationship between literature and other forms of cultural expression such as pop culture, technology, arts, music, or film, as well as the relationship between literature and other academic disciplines, like anthropology, history, religious studies, or women's and gender studies. It's a great major or minor for anyone who loves to explore other cultures.
Students sometimes ask whether they need to be fluent in a foreign language in order to study comparative literature. Definitely not! While all of UWM's instructors and faculty in comparative literature do research in other languages, all Comparative Literature courses are taught entirely in English.
Requirements
The College of Letters & Science requires that students attain at least a 2.0 GPA on all credits in the minor attempted at UWM. In addition, students must attain a 2.0 GPA on all minor credits attempted, including any transfer work. The minor requires 18 credits, including the following:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| COMPLIT 133 | Contemporary Imagination in Literature and the Arts | 3 |
| GLOBAL 102 | Introduction to Global Languages and Cultures | 3 |
| 3 additional credits of COMPLIT at any level | 3 | |
| 6 credits of COMPLIT at the advanced level (numbered 300 and above), which must be taken in residence at UWM | 6 | |
| 3 credits in advanced courses (numbered 300 and above) in the analysis of literature or the other arts, which must be taken in residence at UWM 1 | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 18 | |
- 1
Advanced course (300 and above) in the analysis of literature or the other arts offered by CompLit or by other related departments and programs, with the approval of the CompLit advisor. This includes literature and film courses offered by language programs as well as courses in Art History, English, Film Studies, Philosophy, Religious Studies, or other disciplines that have as their focus the study of literature and/or the other arts.
Letters & Science Minor Advising
Advising for the minor takes place within the department by a faculty member or staff member. Follow the steps using the "Declare a Minor" button on the department’s website which may include instructions on how to select a faculty advisor if there is more than one to choose from.
Students who already have an L&S college advisor because their degree plan is in L&S can discuss the minor with them as well since they will be familiar with any minor in L&S. Students who are working on a degree from a UWM college other than the College of Letters & Science will not need an L&S college advisor for just a minor and one will not be assigned. These students should work with the faculty or staff advisor they receive as part of the minor declaration process or contact the department directly for assistance.
Applicants who have not started classes at UWM yet who wish to declare a minor should wait until they are registered for their first UWM classes and then can declare the minor using the “Declare a Minor” button on the program’s website. If you have questions about the minor before then, contact let-sci@uwm.edu.