Comparative Literature

This course analyzes the symbiotic relationship between the two arts of literature and cinema. The objective is to distinguish the literary and artistic components of cinema within their complex interdependent relationship, to conduct a comparative analysis of films by identifying their literary elements, and to relate both discourses through connections considering 20th-century film theories. Additionally, the course introduces key bridging elements between the two, such as adaptation and screenwriting. This course strengthens comparative methodology by articulating discourses that range from linguistic to audiovisual and prepares students for the analysis of texts that lie at the intersection of both disciplines, while also offering insight into the historical audiovisual tradition rooted in literature.

This topical Genre Studies course covers reading and writing genre fiction. The Spring 2026 offering of the course explores the genres of fairytales and folktales, science fiction (speculative fiction, from fantasy and dystopian fiction to its cousin, post-apocalyptic fiction), and ends with the horror genre.  

The course discusses the elements and possibilities of each genre, and students spend the majority of the semester studying works of literature in both their conformity to and departure from the genre.  

The goals are to read and write like a writer, with discipline, over the course of the semester; to be imaginative and bold with your stories but also pay equal attention to language, character, and world building; and to try different genres and forms of writing and take risks 

Recommended (but not required): a basic knowledge of fiction/creative nonfiction writing or previous course experience.