Graduate Programs

Comparative Literature at Brown is a vigorous and comprehensive program in literature and culture.

Since the founding of the graduate program in 1964, comparative literature has evolved to include not only Western cultures, both ancient and modern, but also Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Arabic. The department, in cooperation with the various literature departments and programs, offers a wide array of courses in literature, literary theory, and cultural studies.

The faculty includes over twenty-five members of professorial rank with appointments wholly or partly in the department. As members of a medium-sized department in a relatively small university, graduate students enjoy unusual opportunities for close contact in and outside of the classroom. Students receive close guidance, including job–search preparation. The program accommodates a wide range of individual emphases in literature and culture, periods, genres, history, criticism, and theory. We hold several colloquia, lectures, and forums each year.

Application Information

Application Requirements

GRE Subject:

Not required

GRE General:

Not required

Writing Sample:

Required (10 double-spaced pages maximum; we cannot read longer samples)

Dates/Deadlines

Application Deadline

Completion Requirements

Fifteen courses; three languages, one of which may be the candidate's native language; four semesters of teaching; professional competence in a major literature and in two others; major literature examination; a comparative project in the third year; dissertation and defense.

Alumni Careers

Learn More
placeholder

Leadership

Department Chair
Kenneth Haynes
Director of Graduate Studies
Marc Redfield

Contact and Location

Department of Comparative Literature

Location Address

36 Prospect Street

Mailing Address

Brown University
Box 1935
Department of Comparative Literature

Resources