MA in Comparative Literature in West Lafayette United States | Purdue University

The Comparative Literature program awards both Master of Arts and Ph.D. degrees, enabling students to explore diverse literatures and cultures through comparative and interdisciplinary lenses. Participants engage with faculty across multiple language departments, including English and various world languages, while exploring critical theories, literary works, and interdisciplinary subjects. Our faculty expertise spans the Americas, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, alongside Philosophy, Rhetorical Theory, and Women's Studies. The program actively encourages cross-disciplinary coursework within the College of Liberal Arts to deepen students' specialization. Our international graduate community represents diverse geographical backgrounds, historical periods, and theoretical perspectives. Purdue's Comparative Literature program particularly emphasizes transdisciplinary research that transcends conventional national, linguistic, and chronological frameworks, including Medieval, Renaissance, Postcolonial, and Global studies. Collaborative seminars with the English department and School of Languages and Cultures complement the curriculum (see course listings for details). Generous funding opportunities support graduate scholars. As an Indiana state-approved degree program, Comparative Literature maintains independent admissions through Purdue's Graduate School.