WL Degree Planning Map
The following course planning map is for declared World Literature major students but information may still be useful to those pursuing a minor, joint major, or honours degree.
YEAR ONE
In your first year you will be introduced to World Literature as a discipline, encountering texts across cultures and time periods while building foundational skills in close reading, literary analysis and essay writing.
Complete 30 units:
- WL 100
- 100 level WL 'W' course
- 6 additional lower level WL courses (100 or 200 level)
- 18 external units
Pro Tip: You can count one second year language class toward your lower level WL credits
YEAR TWO
In your second year, you can expect to encounter the fundamental theoretical approaches and analytical techniques of literary criticism as courses expand your cross-cultural range, examining how literatures in dialogue — East/West, North/South, or across genres — illuminate each other.
Complete 30 units:
- WL 200
- 6 additional WL units at the 200 level
- 21 external units
PRO TIP: You can combine a WL degree with a degree in History or International Studies; you can also complete your BA with two minors instead of a major. Check out more options here.
YEAR THREE
Your third year involves a deeper theoretical scope as you learn to closely read literary texts in sustained engagement with expanded theoretical purviews. By encouraging greater depth and focus, this year will encourage you to develop and define your own areas of interest and expertise in the vast field of international literatures as you take on research-driven work that engages seriously with primary and secondary sources.
Complete 30 units:
- WL 300
- WL 301W
- 8 additional upper division WL units
- 14 external units
300 level WL classes
- WL 303 - Global Culture and Its Discontents
- WL 304 - Exile and Migration
- WL 305W - Sages and Poets
- WL 306 - Transnational Literary Rebellions
- WL 307 - Creative Writing in World Literature
- WL 308 - Travel and Trade
- WL 309 - Empire and Resistance
- WL 320 - Interdisciplinary Approaches to World Literature
- WL 330 - Special Topic in World Literature
- WL 360 - National Literature as World Literature
Pro Tip: If you are considering an honours degree (or grad school in comp lit) you will want to learn a second language
YEAR FOUR
Advanced seminars at the 400 level provide opportunity for student-directed discussions and research projects. Working closely with faculty, you can expect to produce extended literary analyses this year that showcase the theoretical and anylitical skills honed over the course of your degree.
Complete 30 units:
- 8 WL units at the 400 level
- 8 additional upper division WL units
- 14 external units