What makes comparative literature different from other English degrees?

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Taking up an English degree will let you choose from a number of majors in most universities, such as, often, English literature, Creative Writing, and Comparative Literature.


English Literature is focused on an in-depth study of literature of the U.K. and the U.S., from old English and Medieval works to the Romantic, Victorian, and modern era. A Creative Writing degree requires complementary subjects in English literature but is more concerned with the actual writing of works of poetry, fiction, drama, and creative non-fiction. In short, creative writing students must come up with their own collection of works to graduate.


Comparative Literature is distinct from the two as, as the first word in the phrase suggests, it is a degree informed by other fields. In other words, it cannot exist in a vacuum, but must take into account the social, cultural, economic, and historical context of a given piece of literature.

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Comparative literature graduates will gain the same set of career advantages as those of the two other degrees, from editing, technical writing, journalism, blogging, and copy writing. But they also have the likelier chance of becoming full-fledged literary critics and translators. Their better understanding of context and interdisciplinarity make them great academicians. Many comparative literature students end up staying in the academe and choosing a career in teaching.


My name is John Eilermann, a Comparative Literature student based in St. Louis. Comparative literature may be a seen as a poor choice for a degree to some, yet I truly believe that this discipline provides the foundations for sound critical thinking that applies to all fields. Know more about me by following this Facebook page.