Comparative Literature at Louisiana State University is an interdisciplinary program that encourages students to approach literary studies from a wide array of sociocultural perspectives.
Overview
The Ph.D. program is built around a core curriculum grounded in the history of literary criticism and theory. With the guidance of faculty, students develop their own degree plans and research agendas, meant to combine the study of literature, literary theory, language, philosophy, art, history, and other cultural phenomena in exciting, fruitful, and innovative ways.
As an interdepartmental program, Comparative Literature draws upon the strengths of its affiliated departments in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences.
Welcome from the Director
The LSU Program in Comparative Literature provides a vibrant, collaborative space for students and faculty to explore transnational and interdisciplinary research in literary, cultural, and artistic traditions. Through scholarship, teaching, and community engagement, the program establishes and maintains relationships with a number of local, national, and international entities. Mutual exchange is a core value that fosters the program’s dynamic scholarly atmosphere. The interdepartmental nature of the program creates an opportunity for dialogue and research that enhances LSU’s linguistic, cultural, and disciplinary diversity. In addition to an excellent grounding in multiple areas of literary study, the program envisions expanding the geographical and cultural scope of student and faculty projects. Read more about the program.
News
Comparative Literature Ph.D. Candidate Negar Basiri awarded Alumni Association Teaching Assistant Award
Doctoral student in Comparative Literature, Negar Basiri, was selected as one of two recipients of this year’s Alumni Association Teaching Assistant Award.
The University College will honor Negar for her outstanding teaching ability and dedication to students in her classes, Introduction to World Literary Traditions CPLT 2201 / English 2201 and Introduction to Modern World Lit II CPLT 2202 / English 2202, at the annual Celebration of Excellence Awards Program and Reception in Fall 2024.
Dr. Helen Regis awarded the Brij Mohan Distinguished Professor Award and Dr. Kevin Bongiorni awarded Outstanding Service-Learning Faculty Award
LSU's Comparative Literature Program is proud to recognize the accomplishments of two of its esteemed faculty members. Dr. Helen Regis was awarded the Brij Mohan Distinguished Professor Award for her outstanding commitment to promoting peace, equality, and social justice within the community.
Dr. Kevin Bongiorni was awarded the Outstanding Service-Learning Faculty Award for his exceptional dedication to integrating quality service-learning activities into the academic curriculum while embodying best service-learning practices with significant outcomes and community impact.
Dr. Andrew Sluyter Awarded Carnegie Fellowship
The Carnegie Foundation has awarded Dr. Andrew Sluyter the Carnegie Fellowship due to the historical and social relevance of his research. As a fellow, Dr. Sluyter will focus on his project entitled "Slavery and Higher Education: New Narratives on the Plantation Past, New Places for Racial Equity." The project aims to assist educational institutions established on former slave plantations in understanding this aspect of their campus identity and its connection to racial disparities in higher education. Read more in LSU Media Center's article.
Conflict: Global Perspectives
Virtual Conference
March 9-11, 2023
The Comparative Literature and French Studies Graduate Associations are proud to announce the keynote speaker for the 6th Annual Languages and Literatures Conference:
Cezar Gheorghe, Lecturer of Film Studies at the Center for Excellence in Image Studies at the University of Bucharest.
The title of the keynote presentation is "Conflict, domination and emancipation in the World Republic of Letters — The case of film adaptations."
The final deadline for submission is Dec. 31, 2022.
Spanish Film Festival
Virtual
March 9-11, 2023
Zoom ID: 811 434 9610
Under the sponsorship of: LSU Screen Arts, the Department of World Languages, Literatures & Cultures, The Hispanic Studies Program, The Comparative Literature Program, The Department of French studies, The Department of English, The Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies, The Student Government Programming, Support & Initiatives Fund.
The Journal
Comparative Woman aims to create an environment that explores topics related to comparative literature and women/gender studies through poetry and academic essays from a multitude of perspectives. We seek to give poets a platform for reflecting on their thoughts and experiences according to each issue’s theme to present our readers with unique, diverse, and thought-provoking art while also exposing our readers to scholarly work on art created by women or about women in mediums both in and outside of the Western Literary Canon.
Recent Events
7th Annual Languages and Literatures Conference
Conflict: Global Perspectives
Held Virtually
Time: March 9-11, 2023
Learn more about the conference.
Comparative Literature Lecture Series
"Anonymity as the Immemorial Exile, a Shared Space in Iranian, French & American Texts."
Presenter: Negar Basiri
April 13, 2023. Dean's Office, Hodges 155, 12:30-1:30 PM.
Learn more about the lecture series.