Hi aska,
I’m a second-year undergrad at UTSG, and I’ll get straight to the point: what’s the difference between the MAJ English and the MAJ Literary Studies (Comparative Literature)? The thing is, I want to be either a translator or work for a publishing house but I’m not sure which would be more beneficial to my (vague) goals.
Also, up until recently (literally, 10 minutes ago) I was registered with two subject PoSTs in French (the literature stream) and English, then I decided to change my English major to VicU’s literary studies program. Now, I just dropped two English courses and am 2nd on the waiting list for VIC201Y; I’m /still/ on the waiting list for an FSL course so I can’t even try to join the waiting list for VIC210Y… Both have a meeting section of 60 people and I’d be first on the waiting list for 210. Did I just shoot myself in the foot? Repeatedly? With a 10-gauge shotgun?
Love,
A second year who just can’t make up her mind.
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Hey there. In fitting form, I will answer your two-part question in um, two parts.
1. While every program is different, doing Graduate Studies in English or Comparative Literature is a very different process. Take a look at the courses available in U of T’s Master’s English Program – the Canterbury Tales, Olde English. You’re doing the basic framework of British (and some American) literature. U of T’s Comperative Literature program on the other hand, offers interdisciplinary programs with the Women & Gender Studies program, for instance, or a class in psychoanalysis.
Basically you’re looking at the difference between Harold Bloom or Jacques Lacan.
If you’re intersted in doing more interdisciplinary stuff with your literature, or like reading work in translation, Comp Lit is probably the way to go. (Especially if you like reading work in translation!) If you want to go into publishing, it might make a hell of a lot more sense to look into Ryerson’s Publishing post-doc, where you will get actual applicable experience in publishing that will get you a job – and not just a thesis completed on Middle English phonetics, or whatever.
Can you tell I dislike academia? I will probably end up being a tool & die maker after all.
2. Obviously things have changed in the second week of classes – so maybe you have gotten into your classes after all? If not, you will have to retry taking those courses next year. The good news is that if you’re interested in Comp Lit. and English – Literary Studies is the best program at U of T to be in. There are small classes, great professors and really intriguing subject matter – and you probably won’t have to read any Chaucer! Take Julian Patrick’s Postmodern Film & Literature class when you get the chance and watch this Zizek movie.
Good luck!
xoxo, Askastudent