- The Learning Environment
The Learning Environment
Comparative Literature offers courses that range from the study of Ancient Greek literature and philosophy to the most contemporary literatures, philosophies, and cultural articulations. Faculty specialize in the literatures and philosophies of Africa, England, France, Germany, ancient Greece, Latin America, and the United States. Comparative Literature courses are more often organized around problems or questions than any specific literature or philosophy. These problems include, among other things, art, autobiography, death, democracy, dignity, feminism, gender, genocide, human rights, justice, language, race, the state, storytelling, and tragedy. Class sizes range from large lecture classes to smaller seminars. Students are challenged to read closely and to think critically not only about literature and philosophy, but art, film, and the discourses of everyday life.
About Our Facilities
Comparative Literature seminars are often held in the Comparative Literature seminar room, which provides an intimate space for engaging the complexities and nuances of literary, philosophical, and cultural discourses. In addition, Comparative Literature faculty occasionally offer study abroad programs of particular interest, most frequently in Africa. Study abroad provides a unique opportunity for students to engage intensively and in situ with the culture, language, and politics of particular countries and regions.
About Our Faculty
Our faculty have achieved national and international reputations for the quality of their research and teaching. They have published numerous books and received distinguished grants. Our faculty members regularly lecture all over the globe. They bring their expertise, their research interests, and passion for intellectual inquiry into the classroom.
- Rodolphe Gasché, SUNY Distinguished Professor and Eugenio Donato Professor of Comparative Literature
- Jorge Gracia, SUNY Distinguished Professor and Capen Professor of Humanities
- Shaun Irlam, Associate Professor of Comparative Literature
- David E. Johnson, Professor of Comparative Literature
- Kalliopi Nikolopoulou, Associate Professor of Comparative Literature
- Krzysztof Ziarek, Professor of Comparative Literature
- Ewa Plonowska Ziarek, Julian Park Professor of Comparative Literature
Faculty List Directory
Please visit the Comparative Literature department website for additional information about our faculty.