As a comparative literature major, you’ll gain a critical and historical perspective on world literature and cultures, with the choice of two tracks. If you want to emphasize literature in your course work, take the comparative literary studies track; if you’re interested in studying literature and theory by integrating rigorous work in film, video or other arts and media, take the literary, visual and media studies track. The major’s broad range of courses provides a critical and historical perspective on world literature and cultures.
Sample classes
- Great Books: The Great Short Works
- Comparative Literature, Film, and Media
- Science Fiction
- Game of Thrones: Multi-Media Fantasies
- Methods of Comparison
- Intro to Critical Theory
- Theory and Practice of Translation
- Apes and Language
- Literary Theory on the Edge
Outcomes
All information below is based on the 2014-2018 First-Destination Post-Graduate Survey. Lists are not exhaustive; rather, they are a sampling of the data.
"Other" includes time off, travel, volunteer experiences, and/or preparing for graduate school. If you would like more information, please email as_careers@cornell.edu
Nearly 3/4 of 2014-2018 Comparative Literature graduates reported being Employed and Attending Graduate School at similar rates.
56% of the Class of 2014-2018 Comparative Literature graduates completed the survey. n = 24
Below, you will find:
- Top Employment Sectors
- Where Graduates Work
- Top Graduate Fields
- Where Graduates Study
Top Employment Sectors
- Education
- Nonprofit Organization
- Financial Services
- Communications/Media
- Agriculture
Where 2014-2018 Comparative Literature Graduates Work
| Employer | Job Titles |
|---|---|
| BTIG | Associate, Capital Introduction |
| Civitella Ranieri | Intern |
| Gloria Ferrer Caves & Vineyard | Harvest Lab Enologist |
| Institute of Contemporary Art | Curatorial Fellow |
| Lycee Jean Baptiste Say | English Teaching Assistant |
| Weill Cornell Medicine | Clinical Coordinator |
| Yelp | Account Executive |
Top Graduate Fields Pursued
- Classics
- Economics
- Hebrew & Jewish Studies
- Design Communication
- Comparative Literature
- Latin American History
- Theatre Arts
- Law
- Peace & Conflict Studies
Graduate Degrees Pursued
- PhD
- MS
- MLitt
- MPhil
- MA
- JD
Where 2014-2018 Comparative Literature Graduates Study
- Columbia University
- Harvard University
- New York University
- Parsons at The New School
- Universitat Heidelberg
- University of Cambridge
- University of London
- University of Pennsylvania
- University of Southern California
- University of St. Andrews
