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Senior Seminar (398-0-20)

Instructors

Rebecca Carol Johnson
847/467-1365
University Hall 225

Meeting Info

Kresge 5531 Comp Lit. Sem. Rm.: Wed 9:00AM - 12:00PM

Overview of class

This seminar guides CLS majors through the process of writing a substantial research essay (The Senior Essay, 12-15pp) in the field of Comparative Literature. What does it mean to do "comparative" work? This question will animate discussion throughout the quarter, but the essay students produce for this course will be narrowly focused on a research topic in literary studies determined in collaboration with their advisors. We will read selectively about the shared enterprise of Comp Lit (its history as a discipline, its changing shape as a field of study), but the class is largely shaped by student research projects, and class time will include writing workshops. Assignments are designed to create a communal sense of professional identity, as well as develop the skills, work habits, and materials indispensable for researching and writing scholarly essays: students will produce short written texts, prepare and analyze outside readings, and do in-class exercises. The Seminar will culminate with the presentation of their research at the Senior CLS Colloquium held at the end of Fall Quarter, for a public composed of a community of peers, graduate students, advisors, and other faculty. (N.B.: The structure, components, and language of this syllabus have been adapted freely from existing syllabi for CLS 398 and ENG 398.)