Graduate Programs

Explore Our Doctoral Program

Comparative literature at Oregon boasts the oldest doctoral program on the West Coast. Since its founding in 1962, our graduate program has retained a sense of its traditional grounding while also adapting to a constantly evolving field.

Every student in comparative literature is unique, and our doctoral program emphasizes robust and personalized advising to put you in dialogue with our faculty at each stage of your graduate career—from your coursework to your exams, dissertation and eventual employment.



Ancient writing on a tablet

Doctorate Degree in Comparative Literature

As a department, we are committed to working closely and individually with each of our students, and our multi-year advising structure is in place to guide you through coursework and to prepare you for an academic career. Once admitted, you already begin to tailor your program of study to your research interest and to your mastery of at least two national literary traditions. Four foundation courses taken during the first and second years help to establish a cohort among our students and a common critical reflexivity. And as you go on to pursue courses in national languages and literatures, we remain in conversation to help you generate connections between your three fields.

Oregon’s Department of Comparative Literature is known for the humane environment it cultivates—a community conducive to interdisciplinarity, cooperation, and experimentation.


Funding your Graduate Studies

Want to learn more about funding options for graduate students in the Department of Comparative Literature? Explore opportunities for funding your graduate studies.

Funding and Research Support


Prepare for the Professional World

A graduate degree from the Department of Comparative Literature opens the door to exciting job possibilities. Discover resources to help you prepare for your chosen career path.


Events

Department of History Coffee Hour
May27
Department of History Coffee Hour May 27 McKenzie Hall
Peace Corps Send-Off Party
May27
Peace Corps Send-Off Party May 27 Willie and Donald Tykeson Hall
Creative Writing Reading Series Presents: ZZ Packer
May27
Creative Writing Reading Series Presents: ZZ Packer May 27 Knight Library
Filmlandia Screening Series: "Sometimes a Great Notion"
May27
Filmlandia Screening Series: "Sometimes a Great Notion" May 27 Art House Theater
To the Success of Our Hopeless Cause: The Many Lives of the Soviet Dissident Movement
May28
To the Success of Our Hopeless Cause: The Many Lives of the Soviet Dissident Movement May 28 Gerlinger Hall
"Los Dreamers"
May29
"Los Dreamers" May 29 Robinson Theatre
"Los Dreamers"
May30
"Los Dreamers" May 30 Robinson Theatre
"Los Dreamers"
May31
"Los Dreamers" May 31 Robinson Theatre
Department of History Spring Showcase 2026
Jun1
Department of History Spring Showcase 2026 Jun 1 Erb Memorial Union (EMU)
Cinema Studies Presents: Composing Music for Silent Film Masterclass with Brian McWhorter
Jun2
Cinema Studies Presents: Composing Music for Silent Film Masterclass with Brian McWhorter Jun 2 Lawrence Hall