World Literature

World Literature is an interdisciplinary program for students interested in studying literature and culture as these are produced and spread from one place to another. In pursuing the study of literature and culture in global contexts, our courses offer a variegated array of literary genres, historical periods, and translated texts from Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America. Our affiliated faculty members represent a broad range of approaches and areas of studies, including postcolonialism; comparative literature; classics; film studies; women, sexuality, and gender studies; modern languages; religious studies, and translation studies.

With a long, intricate history, the dissemination and propagation of literature and culture remain topical in today's global economy and multipolar world. In aspiring to study Western and Non-Western works through innovative constellations and beyond traditional disciplinary boundaries, our students stand to gain a much needed perspective on what it means to navigate and circulate in today's world for a broad spectrum of people, characters, objects, and ideas. Moreover, students are called upon to develop a critical understanding of their own world citizenship.

Our program is especially committed to exploring translation as a model activity at the core of the liberal arts. World literature's inherently global perspective (both in historical and geographical terms), the practice of close reading and flexible interpretations, and above all, a focus on linguistic diversity and the art and politics of translation make World Literature a model interdisciplinary program in the humanities.

Students may minor in World Literature or create their own independent interdisciplinary major in World Literature. For more information on independent interdisciplinary majors and forms, go to http://www.depauw.edu/academics/departments-programs/interdisciplinary/requirements/

Course Catalog

Requirements for a minor

World Literature

Total courses required Five
Core courses WLIT 105 (ENG 141)
Other required courses Three courses from at least two different departments from:

Courses in literature taught in English may include: ASIA 251, ASIA 281, ASIA 282, CLST 100, ENG 261, ENG 396, M L 194, M L 227, M L 260, M L 264, M L 326.

The following seminars and topics courses may count when the topic is literature in translation: ASIA 197, ASIA 290, ASIA 390, ENG 197, ENG 255, ENG 390, ENG 391, ENG 392, ENG 460, M L 197, M L 295, M L 395, WLIT 215 (recommended), WLIT 315 (recommended).

Courses in literature taught in another language may include: FREN 327, GER 307, LAT 224, LAT 341, SPAN 335, SPAN 442, SPAN 444. The following topics courses taught in another language may count when the topic is literature: CHIN 269, FREN 401, GER 411, GER 412, GRK 205, GRK 452, ITAL 375, LAT 223, LAT 332, RUS 324, SPAN 390.

Number 300 and 400 level courses One (WLIT 315 recommended)

Courses in World Literature

WLIT 105

Introduction to World Literature (formerly WLIT 205)

This course is an introduction to literature in translation from multiple traditions across national boundaries. Readings include fiction, drama, and poetry. The course aims to develop literary sensibilities conducive to students' self-reflection on cultural difference and their own globally-situated identities and responsibilities. Cross-listed with ENG 141.

Distribution Area Prerequisites Credits
Arts and Humanities-or-Global Learning 1 course

WLIT 215

Topics in World Literature

This course offers close examination of global issues and features in literature, often those at the center of current critical interest. May be repeated for credit with different topics.

Distribution Area Prerequisites Credits
Arts and Humanities-or-Global Learning 1 course

WLIT 315

Advanced Topics in World Literature

This course offers advanced, intensive examination of specific issues in World Literature, often those at the center of current critical interest. Examples may include translation issues; cross-cultural fertilizations; competing conceptions of world literature; literature in a global economy. May be repeated for credit with different topics.

Distribution Area Prerequisites Credits
Arts and Humanities-or-Global Learning 1 course

WLIT 405

Readings in World Literature

Directed studies, with individual conferences, centered on a specific project arranged with the instructor. Prerequisite: permission of instructor and program director. May be repeated for credit.

Distribution Area Prerequisites Credits
Arts and Humanities Permission of instructor and program director 1 course

WLIT 405

Readings in World Literature

Directed studies, with individual conferences, centered on a specific project arranged with the instructor. Prerequisite: permission of instructor and program director. May be repeated for credit.

Distribution Area Prerequisites Credits
Arts and Humanities Permission of instructor and program director 1 course