The Comparative Literature Program includes courses taught by faculty from all the language and literature departments and from philosophy and anthropology. It offers students the opportunity to study literary texts in their historical, social, and cultural contexts. Courses frequently include works of philosophy, history, psychology, anthropology, and the cinema. They aim to help students learn to read and write critically, with greater pleasure and understanding.

Majors can prepare for graduate study and work in such fields as law, education, publishing, writing, and translation. Because major requirements overlap with those of English and the foreign languages, comparative literature is an excellent choice as one of two majors or as a minor. Although comparative literature courses involve study of texts from many countries, all are read and taught in English.