Master Lettres — Littérature comparée

Littérature comparée, a track of the Master Lettres at Sorbonne Université in Paris, France, belongs to the discipline of comparative literature. Comparative literature studies literary works across different languages, national traditions, and periods, examining shared themes, forms, and influences rather than confining analysis to a single national literature. Students in this field typically study literary theory and methods of comparison, works from French and at least one other literary tradition read in relation to each other, translation and the movement of literary texts across languages, and the historical and cultural contexts that connect or distinguish different literatures. Coursework often requires reading widely across languages and periods, building skills in identifying formal and thematic connections between works that might otherwise be studied in isolation. Because comparative literature depends on cross-cultural reading, students also engage with questions of translation, cultural exchange, and how literary movements and forms travel between national traditions. Graduates from this discipline commonly pursue careers in teaching literature and languages, publishing and translation, cultural and international organizations working on literary or cultural exchange, and doctoral research toward an academic career in comparative or world literature. This master's program lasts two years, is taught in French, and begins in September. It is based in Paris, France. Yearly tuition is EUR 250. Students should expect a program that reads widely across national literary traditions, building comparative and analytical skills applicable to literature from more than one language and culture.