Department of English and Comparative Literature, American University of Paris

We believe that learning to use the English language powerfully and precisely within a world of so many languages and cultures will give you the tools to become a critical and creative thinker, able to analyze and interpret individual literary texts, while making enlightened connections with other works and disciplines. Each of our classes will help you develop an informed awareness of traditions and cultural, historical, and literary variations and progressions.

Simultaneously, intensive writing practice will guide you towards clear and elegant expression as you acquire professional writing skills within the cultural sphere. We champion intellectual ambition, creativity, and imagination. We encourage you to pay close attention to the written word when analyzing historical, social, philosophical, and psychological processes, so that you can explore the capacity of language to inform reflection on human values and societal differences and mobilize your creative imagination.

Major Comparative Literature

Extensive examination of the written word will demonstrate its crucial role in the historical, social, philosophical, and psychological processes that have come to shape contemporary society, as well as the capacity of language to inform reflection on human value and societal differences and to mobilize the creative imagination. As you explore the ins and outs of literature, from antiquity to present, you will navigate its historical and geographical contexts, analyze examples of literary production and their linguistic and cultural diversity, and study recent movements in literary and critical theory. We believe that a solid base of knowledge, critical practice, and strong linguistic endeavor are essential to professional life and creative production, as we encourage you to acquire abilities and knowledge in three different language areas.