¶¡ÏãÔ°AV

World Literature Major Program

Department of World Literature | Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Calendar 2012 Fall

World Literature focuses on writing that has traveled - writing that has moved beyond its author's culture and has acquired a new life in other languages, nations and traditions. The study of world literature raises vital questions about how cultures understand - and sometimes misunderstand - one another.

The program examines literature in a comparative way, emphasizing periods of cross-cultural contact and exchange. English is the language of instruction but students also have the opportunity to study other world languages. World literature students are encouraged to participate in an international exchange and/or field schools to complement their degree.

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Program Requirements

The program consists of courses in world literature (WL courses) and a three-unit history (HIST) course. Students complete 120 units, as specified below.

Lower Division Requirements

Students complete a total of 21 units, including one of

  • WL 100-3 Introduction to World Literature
  • WL 101W-3 Writing About Literature
  • WL 102-3 Literature Across Cultures

and one of

  • WL 103W-3 Pre-Modern World Literature
  • WL 104W-3 Modern World Literature

and

  • WL 200-3 Literary Analysis and Interpretation

and one of

  • WL 201-3 East/West
  • WL 202-3 North/South
  • WL 203-3 Selected Genres in World Literature
  • WL 204-3 Human Rights Literature

and two additional three unit lower division courses in world literature

and one lower division three-unit HIST course (HIST 130 is recommended).

Before proceeding to upper division world literature courses, students are encouraged to complete the lower division requirements as shown above.

Upper Division Requirements

Students complete a minimum total of 30 upper division WL units including

  • WL 300-4 How Theory Travels
  • WL 301W-4 Advanced Composition

and any of

  • WL 303-4 Global Culture and its Others
  • WL 304-4 Exiles and Émigrés
  • WL 305W-4 Sages and Poets
  • WL 306-4 Literary Romanticisms
  • WL 308-4 Imperial Cultures
  • WL 309-4 Post-Imperial Cultures
  • WL 310-3 Text and Context
  • WL 320-3 Interdisciplinary Approaches
  • WL 350-3 Directed Readings

and at least one of

  • WL 400-4 Literary Perspectives on Ancient Cultures
  • WL 401-4 Early Modernities
  • WL 402-4 Other Modernities
  • WL 403-3 After Modernities
  • WL 404W-4 Literature and Translation
  • WL 410-4 Selected Topic in World Literature I
  • WL 420-4 Selected Topic in World Literature II
  • WL 430-4 Selected Topic in World Literature III
  • WL 440-4 Selected Topic in World Literature IV
  • WL 450-4 Directed Readings in Language and Literature
  • WL 460-4 Directed Studies

Relevant Topic Courses

With prior approval, students may complete a maximum of three lower and eight upper division units of relevant topic courses from outside the World Literature Program (courses offered at ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV or our field schools and exchanges) by submitting the course description to the world literature advisor. The following pre-approved courses are appropriate.

  • ENGL 207-3 Twentieth Century Literatures in English
  • ENGL 392-4 Studies in World Literatures in English
  • ENGL 492-4 Topics in World Literatures in English
  • FPA 341-3 World Music
  • FREN 342-4 Literature in Translation from the World
  • HUM 309-4 Literature and the Arts Across Cultures

Study Abroad

Students are encouraged to study abroad, through field schools or exchanges. World literature major students may complete up to 15 upper division units at other universities or other universities' field schools and exchanges with prior approval. Submit the relevant course description to the world literature advisor well in advance of the course.

Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Program Requirements

For all bachelor of arts (BA) programs (except the honours program), students complete 120 units, which includes

  • at least 60 units that must be completed at ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV
  • at least 45 upper division units, of which at least 30 upper division units must be completed at ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV
  • at least 65 units (including 21 upper division units) in Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences courses
  • satisfaction of the writing, quantitative, and breadth requirements
  • an overall cumulative grade point average (CGPA) and upper division CGPA of at least 2.0, and a program (major, joint major, extended minor, minor) CGPA and upper division CGPA of at least 2.0

Writing, Quantitative, and Breadth Requirements

Students admitted to ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV beginning in the fall 2006 term must meet writing, quantitative and breadth requirements as part of any degree program they may undertake. See Writing, Quantitative, and Breadth Requirements for university-wide information.

WQB Graduation Requirements
A grade of C- or better is required to earn W, Q or B credit.
Requirement

Units

Notes
W - Writing

6

Must include at least one upper division course, taken at ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV within the student’s major subject
Q - Quantitative

6

Q courses may be lower or upper division
B - Breadth

18

Designated Breadth Must be outside the student’s major subject, and may be lower or upper division
6 units Social Sciences: B-Soc
6 units Humanities: B-Hum
6 units Sciences: B-Sci

6

Additional Breadth

6 units outside the student’s major subject (may or may not be B-designated courses, and will likely help fulfil individual degree program requirements)
Additional breadth units must be from outside the student's major and may be B-designated (B-Hum, B-Soc, B-Sci courses). Students choosing to complete a joint major, joint honours, double major, two extended minors, an extended minor and a minor, or two minors may satisfy the breadth requirements (designated or not designated) with courses completed in either one or both program areas.

Residency Requirements and Transfer Credit

The University’s residency requirement stipulates that, in most cases, total transfer and course challenge credit may not exceed 60 units, and may not include more than 15 units as upper division work.

Elective Courses

In addition to the courses listed above, students should consult an academic advisor to plan the remaining required elective courses.

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