¶¡ÏãÔ°AV

World Literature Major Program

Department of World Literature | Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Calendar 2013 Spring

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 Introduction to World Literature (3)
  • WL 101W Writing About Literature (3)
  • WL 102 Literature Across Cultures (3)

and one of

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

and

  • WL 200 Literary Analysis and Interpretation (3)

and one of

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

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 How Theory Travels (4)
  • WL 301W Advanced Composition (3)

and any of

  • WL 303 Global Culture and Its Others (4)
  • WL 304 Exiles and Emigres (4)
  • WL 305W Sages and Poets (4)
  • WL 306 Literary Romanticisms (4)
  • WL 308 Imperial Cultures (4)
  • WL 309 Post-Imperial Cultures (4)
  • WL 310 Text and Context (3)
  • WL 320 STT-Interdisciplinary Approaches World Literature (3)
  • WL 330 Special Topic in World Literature (4)
  • WL 340 Directed Studies (1)
  • WL 345 Directed Studies (2)
  • WL 350 Directed Studies (3)

and at least one of

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

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

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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