Degree Programs
The graduate program in comparative literature is designed to enable students to develop competence in the study of two or more literatures. The program is staffed by an interdepartmental group of graduate professors from the departments of English, and Languages, Literatures, and Cultures. If you have an aptitude for languages and a deep interest in literary study, this program is right for you. We also strongly encourage you to spend at least one semester abroad while you're completing your degree. Learn more about the program »
The graduate program in comparative literature is designed to enable students to develop competence in the study of two or more literatures. The program is staffed by an interdepartmental group of graduate professors from the departments of English, and Languages, Literatures, and Cultures. If you have an aptitude for languages and a deep interest in literary study, this program is right for you. We also strongly encourage you to spend at least one semester abroad while you're completing your degree. Learn more about the program »
A graduate degree in Languages with a concentration in French will train you to teach and carry out research in French. Our faculty have expertise in applied linguistics, Atlantic and Caribbean studies, children's literature, cultural history, digital humanities, film studies, historical linguistics, linguistics, literary theory, sociolinguistics, theatre, translation studies, travel literature and women’s and gender studies.nSee our graduate application requirements »
A graduate degree in German will train you to teach and carry out research in German. Our faculty have expertise in literature and culture from the Middle Ages to the present day, modern and historical linguistics, applied linguistics, literary theory, philosophy, music, film, and women’s and gender studies. Additional faculty members affiliated with the program specialize in German philosophy, music, art history, religious studies, and medieval English and medieval Scandinavian language and literature. As a graduate student, you'll have the opportunity to study and conduct dissertation research at our partner university, Otto-Friedrich-Universität Bamberg. See our graduate application requirements »
A graduate degree in Spanish will give you the opportunity to pursue in-depth study of literatures and culture of the Spanish-speaking world. You'll work with renowned scholars to experience firsthand how new ideas are created through the research process. Our department fosters interdisciplinary growth through its strengths in cultural studies, film studies, gender studies, literary history and theory, linguistics and pedagogy, and comparative literature. See our graduate application requirements »
The Ph.D. in Spanish studies aims to bridge both sides of the Atlantic with students pursuing original research in Hispanic studies, transatlantic studies, as well as literary and cultural studies of the Spanish-speaking world. See our graduate application requirements »
We partner with the Department of Education to offer a Masters of Teaching program in French, German and Spanish. Successful applicants should have:
- 3 letters of recommendation
- Official transcripts
- A 1 - 2 page statement of purpose describing previous academic work related to the language, motivation for pursuing the degree, and career goals
- Résumé
- Writing sample (should be in the language applied for)
Visit our M.A.T. pages to learn more and apply.
Graduate Reading Proficiency Exam
The Graduate Reading Proficiency Exam is for graduate students who are majoring in other disciplines. FREN, GERM, LATN, and SPAN 615 are designed to prepare students to take the examination(s) that satisfies the basic FL graduate reading requirement. The courses are available on a pass / fail basis only. We have an MA program in Languages, Literatures and Cultures with concentrations in Comparative Literature, French, German, and Spanish, and 2 PhD programs in Spanish and Comparative literature.
Department News
We are proud of the track record for both our undergraduate teacher certification program and our M.A.T. program which have maintained a 100% job placement rate among their graduates. This year's M.A.T. candidates are Tanner Hayes, in Spanish, and Logan Westmoreland, in German. Both have jobs already secured prior to their graduation in
May. Both Tanner and Logan completed internships at local immersion schools at the elementary level and also taught at the high school level. Tanner is currently student teaching at Dreher High School and has accepted a position with T.L. Hanna High School in Anderson District 5. Logan is currently student teaching at River Bluff High School and has accepted a position with the German immersion program at Deerfield Elementary in Lexington One where he will be teaching second grade.
Congratulations to Rokhaya Dieng who has successfully defended her dissertation, entitled, "The Supernatural in Migration: A Reflexion on Senegalese Literature and Film"
She has accepted a position as Visiting Assistant Professor at Kenyon College.
Kristina Stefanić-Brown has accepted a tenure-track position in German at Wofford College in Spartanburg, beginning next fall. This is a great opportunity for Kristina, but she will be greatly missed by our Italian and German Programs. Congratulations, Kristina, and much success in your new position!
Dr. Julia Lujan has accepted the position of Lecturer and Curriculum Supervisor in the Department of Spanish & Portuguese at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities.
Jingsheng Zhang successfully defended her dissertation 5 April 2021: "The Rising of the Avant-Garde Movement in 1980s China: A Cultural Practice of the New Enlightenment." Congratulations to Dr. Zhang and her advisor Dr. van Fleit!