MA in Comparative Literature in Davis United States | University of California Davis

The Comparative Literature M.A. program with a thesis focus equips students for advanced academic pursuits or career opportunities. Our graduate candidates benefit from extensive faculty support within Comparative Literature and related disciplines. Faculty members maintain joint appointments with departments including East Asian Languages and Cultures, English, French and Italian, German and Russian, Middle East/South Asian Languages, and Religious Studies. We encourage applications from humanities-oriented students seeking to enhance their comparative literature and critical analysis skills. The curriculum blends foundational courses in comparative methodologies with diverse options for specialized language and literary studies. Candidates will develop a Master's thesis with guidance from an advisory committee and participate in a cooperative thesis-writing cohort.

Our Comparative Literature graduate program facilitates the study of multiple literatures in their original languages, framed by theoretical and historical contexts through interdisciplinary and multicultural approaches. Students craft personalized academic paths aligned with their specific interests and objectives. Customized mentorship and tailored qualifying examinations allow for in-depth, flexible exploration of specialized topics. The department provides both PhD and two-year thesis-based MA options. Doctoral candidates examine three literatures in their original languages, with the alternative of focusing on a self-selected special topic instead of a third literature. The MA curriculum integrates core comparative theory courses with extensive opportunities for specialized language and literary research, culminating in a thesis developed with committee support and peer collaboration.