E 408 Topics in Comparative Literature

Overview of Course

This seminar undertakes a comparative study of global literature through the lens of migration, exile, and the experience of diaspora. We will examine how writers, separated from their homelands, articulate complex literary themes of loss, cultural memory, and resistance across diverse linguistic traditions.

As we navigate the sea, our intellectual journey will explore a series of questions: How do the dynamics of displacement reshape the very concept of the nation and its foundational narratives? What is the role of literature in preserving a vibrant culture when communities cross geopolitical boundaries? How do writers express the trauma of leaving and the labor of building a new life? To provide a core experiential context, we will align our readings with our itinerary. Each text offers an intimate, global perspective on the cultural histories and contemporary realities of a port city or region, allowing us to connect literature directly to place. This framework encourages responsible and meaningful comparisons between works produced in different cultural contexts. Through critical analysis, discussion, and on-site observation, you will not only sharpen your analytical and comparative skills but also develop a sophisticated understanding of the complex global forces that shape human movement and the evolution of cultural memory in the 21st century.