Doctor of Philosophy in Comparative Literary Studies

The PhD program in Comparative Literary Studies (CLS) at Northwestern provides students with rigorous training in several literary traditions, critical theory, and the methodology of comparative literature. Our program offers an interdisciplinary approach to comparative literature and opportunities for students to study internationally, attend conferences and colloquia, teach, and work collaboratively with faculty and students.

All students admitted to our PhD program are also admitted into a home department. The purpose of placing students in a home department is twofold: the departments provide professional training and accreditation in widely recognized fields of scholarship, and they prepare comparative literature students for academic positions in these fields. If admitted, CLS students complete certain requirements of the home department.