2026-2027 Course Catalog
Source: https://catalog.illinois.edu/undergraduate/las/comparative-world-literature-balas/ Parent: https://catalog.illinois.edu/undergraduate/
for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts & Sciences in Comparative & World Literature
Students must select one of the following in consultation with an advisor:
- Major in Comparative & World Literature, Comparative Literature Concentration
- Major in Comparative & World Literature, World Literature Concentration
for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts & Sciences in Comparative & World Literature
Sample Sequence
This sample sequence is intended to be used only as a guide for degree completion. All students should work individually with their academic advisors to decide the actual course selection and sequence that works best for them based on their academic preparation and goals. Enrichment programming such as study abroad, minors, internships, and so on may impact the structure of this four-year plan. Course availability is not guaranteed during the semester indicated in the sample sequence.
Students must fulfill their Language Other Than English requirement by successfully completing a fourth level of a language other than English. See the corresponding section on the Degree and General Education Requirements page.
| First Year | |
|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours |
| Free Elective course | 1 |
| CWL 202 | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| Language Other Than English (3rd level) | 4 |
| Composition I or General Education course | 4 |
| 15 | |
| Total Hours 15 |
| First Year | |
|---|---|
| Second Semester | Hours |
| CWL core course | 3 |
| CWL core course prior to 1800 | 3 |
| Language Other Than English (4th level) | 4 |
| General Education course or Composition 1 | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| 16 | |
| Total Hours 16 |
| Second Year | |
|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours |
| CWL core course since 1800 | 3 |
| CWL National Traditions 200-400 level course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| 15 | |
| Total Hours 15 |
| Second Year | |
|---|---|
| Second Semester | Hours |
| CWL core 300-400 level course | 3 |
| CWL National Traditions 200-400 level course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| 15 | |
| Total Hours 15 |
| Third Year | |
|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours |
| CWL core 300-400 level course | 3 |
| CWL Area/Cultural Studies 300- or 400- level course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| 15 | |
| Total Hours 15 |
| Third Year | |
|---|---|
| Second Semester | Hours |
| CWL Area/Cultural Studies 300- or 400- level course | 3 |
| CWL National Traditions 300- or 400-level course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| 15 | |
| Total Hours 15 |
| Fourth Year | |
|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours |
| General Education course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| 15 | |
| Total Hours 15 |
| Fourth Year | |
|---|---|
| Second Semester | Hours |
| General Education course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 2 |
| 14 | |
| Total Hours 14 |
Total Hours: 120
for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts & Sciences in Comparative Literature
- Social Awareness and Cultural Understanding/ Global Consciousness: CWL students will develop a comparative understanding of national literatures in the context of a globalizing world, and an ability to situate texts in their cultural and historical contexts.
- Measurable by: analysis of student work samples; degree progress and course completion; focus groups; course syllabus comparison.
- Intellectual Reasoning and Knowledge: CWL students will appreciate the aesthetic qualities of literary texts and develop an awareness of influential critical and interpretive methods.
- Measurable by: analysis of student work samples; degree progress and course completion; focus groups; course syllabus comparison.
- Intellectual Reasoning and Knowledge: CWL students will demonstrate a general understanding of the conventions of literary genres and of the major developments in literary history.
- Measurable by: analysis of student work samples; degree progress and course completion; focus groups; course syllabus comparison.
- Creative Inquiry and Discovery: Students will demonstrate ability to express oneself orally and in writing in a clear, coherent and persuasive manner, and to construct an interpretive argument.
- Measurable by: analysis of student work samples; focus groups.
- For Comparative Literature concentration only: Students will demonstrate mastery of at least two languages.
- Measurable by: participation in 200-400 level courses in the original language; degree progress and course completion.
for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts & Sciences in Comparative & World Literature
Department of Comparative & World Literature
Comparative & World Literature Faculty\ Comparative & World Literature advising
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
overview of college admissions & requirements: Liberal Arts & Sciences