The comparative literature major offers the opportunity to bring together the study of a multiplicity of literary traditions. The demands of this major are challenging and require the ability to read literature written in a language other than English. The reward is a cross-cultural, interdisciplinary perspective on literature. Comparing literatures entails a familiarity with cultural specificities and a variety of methods and theories. Therefore, students are introduced to theoretical issues bearing on comparative literary studies, such as questions of genre, the evolution of literary forms, and literature as an expression of culture. Students choose literatures in which they will specialize in consultation with their advisor.