International and Comparative Literary Studies
About the major
International and Comparative Literary Studies (ICLS) is a vibrant, innovative and interdisciplinary program in the School of Languages and Cultures (SLC).
Each ICLS unit of study is taught by two to four lecturers whose disciplinary backgrounds are in literature, film studies, theatre studies, cultural studies, translations studies, and social sciences, and with expertise in European, Asian, and Middle Eastern traditional and modern cultures. The lecturers are from ten different language and culture departments.
Built upon comparative literary theories, our rich and diverse program offers a major that is personally rewarding and helps to prepare you as future graduates for a range of possible career paths in publishing, advertising, media industries, government and non-government organisations, and academic research. Through a range of comparative units focusing on themes such as cities of the world, relations between textual and visual arts, or on genres such as science fiction, our units of study look at how questions of society, history, culture and politics have been framed within literature from different traditions at different periods of time. There are no foreign language requirements for undergraduate study as lectures are delivered in English and tutorial discussions are based on texts in English translation. However, reading knowledge of at least one language other than English is required for Honours and Postgraduate study.
Requirements for completion
A major in International and Comparative Literary Studies requires 48 credit points from the Unit of Study table including:
(i) 12 credit points of 1000-level units
(ii) 12 credit points of 2000-level units
(iii) 18 credit points of 3000-level units
(iv) 6 credit points of 3000-level Interdisciplinary Project units
A minor in International and Comparative Literary Studies requires 36 credit points from the Unit of Study table including:
(i) 12 credit points of 1000-level units
(ii) 12 credit points of 2000-level units
(iii) 12 credit points of 3000-level units
First year
In their first year, students will learn about world literatures in translation, and acquire basic methods for studying them in a comparative framework. This will provide them with important cultural insights on how literature both reflects and shapes a society's cultural and intellectual life in a global context.
Second year
In their second year, students will focus on more specific thematic units and acquire cross-literary, cross-cultural and interdisciplinary knowledge, understanding and expertise needed to live, work and succeed in an increasingly global society.
Third year
In their third year, students will move on to an advanced analysis cross- and transcultural literature, postcolonial literatures and postcolonial theory, the sociology of literature, as well as the study of literature in relation to other art forms, such as literature and film. They will complete their major with one senior advanced interdisciplinary unit that will allow them to put their disciplinary learning into a broader context.
Honours
If you commenced your degree prior to 2018, admission to honours requires a major in International and Comparative Literary Studies with an average of 70% or above.
If you commenced your degree in 2018, admission to honours is via the Bachelor of Advanced Studies and requires the completion of a major in International and Comparative Literary Studies with an average of 70% or above. You will need to ensure you have completed all other requirements of the Bachelor of Arts, including Open Learning Environment (OLE) units and a second major, prior to commencing honours.
A reading knowledge of one language other than English is also required.
Students not meeting these criteria may apply for special permission from the Director of International and Comparative Literary Studies.
Advanced Coursework
The requirements for advanced coursework in International and Comparative Literary Studies are described in the degree resolutions for the Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Advanced Studies.
24-36 credit points of advanced study will be included in the table for 2020.
Contact and further information
Program website: sydney.edu.au/arts/international_comparative_literary_studies
Program Director: Associate Professor Rebecca Suter
Example pathways
First year: ICLS1001 World Literatures in Translation, ICLS1002 Foundations of Comparative Literature
Second Year: ICLS2624 World Literature 1: The Human Condition, ICLS2633 Cities of the World
Third Year: ICLS3631 What is Literature? Crosscultural Views, ICLS3630 Literature and Society, ICLS3000 Literatures of War, 3000 level Interdisciplinary unit.