About the Program

The Stanford Comparative Literature program invites you to journey across national, cultural, and linguistic borders in your explorations of language and literature. This rigorous yet highly flexible major encourages you to study texts in their original languages and discover connections between literature and other disciplines like philosophy, history, and film. You’ll develop your skills in cultural and critical analysis in a supportive environment characterized by vibrant exchange and discussion.

What You'll Study

The Comparative Literature major offers a high degree of individualization, allowing you to build a curriculum that reflects your interests. Key features of your studies will include:

• Customized Learning Paths: Building on a shared core of courses, students will select electives and additional literature courses from across Stanford’s rich offerings in literature and other fields to build their major. 

• Build Interdisciplinary Connections: Explore literature as it intersects with other fields of study, including philosophy, history, political theory, art, music, and film.

• Gain a Deep Immersion in Language: You will read literature in translation, study translation itself, and have the opportunity to study and read literature in a variety of languages in completing your program requirements. Students also have the opportunity to receive expert instruction and language placement assessment through the Stanford Language Center.