Opening up a world of literature and culture
Comparative Literature and Culture (CLC) gives you the opportunity to explore literature, film, philosophy and art from the twenty-first century to ancient Greece, and from Latin America to Europe.
CLC combines innovation, flexibility and academic challenge to offer you the opportunity to acquire a sophisticated, critical appreciation of literature, film and visual arts, and to develop valuable analytical and cross-cultural skills. Our CLC programmes provide the opportunity to explore world literature as well as film and the visual arts from a broad, cross-cultural perspective.
This innovative degree leads the way in opening up critical perspectives and breaking down geographic and conceptual barriers. CLC is for people who are globally aware and passionate about all kinds of culture.
You do not need to have studied, or study, a foreign language (though Single Honours and Major students can opt to take one up, or continue studying one in first and second year), but you may have already enjoyed English, History, Philosophy, History of Art, Theatre Studies, Media Studies or languages.
A wide choice of degree programmes
CLC can be taken as Single Honours or as a Joint Honours degree with History of Art and Visual Cultures, Drama, Classical Studies, English, French, German, Hispanic Studies, Italian or Philosophy, and as a Major with and Minor in International Film, History of Art and Visual Cultures or Philosophy.
A critical edge in the global marketplace
Studying Comparative Literature and Culture develops the ability to think broadly and critically beyond conventional conceptual boundaries in ways which are particularly relevant in a globalised world. CLC is designed to develop the kinds of critical, communication and leadership skills which are particularly valuable in meeting the challenges of today’s workplaces.
Why choose CLC at Royal Holloway?
The scope of what you can learn
CLC offers a brilliant balance between honing your comparative, critical and communication skills and developing your cultural awareness and passions. It is a flexible, modular degree programme designed to allow you to develop your own interests.
Comparative Literature and Culture spans fiction, drama, cinema, poetry, philosophy, painting and sculpture from different periods and areas. All modules are taught by leading research specialists.
Your first year is foundational, meaning marks do not count towards your final degree. When you arrive at Royal Holloway, in addition to core courses and options, you’ll take specially-designed courses to help you develop the academic and writing skills that will benefit your university career and beyond. The marks you achieve in your second and final years do count with more importance being given to the latter to reward your progress and achievement.
Our diverse teaching methods
Our teaching methods are very diverse, ranging from lectures and small-group seminars to e-learning. You’ll be expected to prepare material for lectures and seminars to help you try out new ideas and participate in lively discussions in a supportive environment. There’s also plenty of personal contact between staff and students.
We use an array of assessment models to suit different learning styles, from online comprehension tests and individual and group presentations to coursework and examinations.
In your final year, you can research and write a dissertation that develops your own critical perspective on an aspect of one of the topics you’re studying. Throughout your time here, you’ll have your own Personal Tutor - an academic who helps you through your studies and guides you in tailoring your course to your strengths and interests.
Employability
Through studying CLC, you’ll obtain a sophisticated and critical appreciation of cultural life and diversity, drawing on a very broad range of international literary, film and artistic references as well as major critical perspectives.
You’ll also enhance your own original analytical thinking as well as honing your oral and written communication skills in ways that are particularly valuable in today’s global marketplace.
Course units
If you want to find out more about our fascinating core courses and wide range of options, please select the relevant link below:
- BA Single Honours CLC
- BA CLC (major)
- BA Joint Honours CLC
