Department of Comparative Literature, the first comparative literature department established in a state university in Turkey and started its educational activities with 32 students in the fall semester of the 2000-2001 academic year and still continues its education activities successfully with its undergraduate, graduate, doctorate and sub-branch programs. Evening education is also available.
The main function of our department is to train literary critics, whose lack is always felt in the literary world of our country. Another important function is to train multilangual researches who will introduce Turkish culture and literature to the outside world with scientific studies and activities and who will also provide Turkish public with all the developments and reflections in this field.
The fact that Comparative Literature is considered as a competitor to the national literature has been a constant problem in various countries of the world for years. There are resercahers those who take Comparative Literature as basis and regard national literatures as its material. The opposite is also the case, that is, comparing other literatures with their own, which helps the people of that country to look at their own literature from another perspective. Therefore, it is also possible to learn about other literatures and use this information in order to enrich their own literature. The duties and functions of Comparative Literature Departments, which were established many years ago in universities in developed countries, especially in the USA, England, Germany and France, to examine two works written in different languages in terms of subject, idea or form, to identify their common, similar and different sides and to suggest comments on the reasons. This will help both individuals and nations on earth to understand each other better and to eliminate the prejudices that have occurred for years.
A student who completes the Comparative Literature department (1 year preparation + 4 years license), as a Comparative Literature Scientist, gets the opportunity to get to know both his cultural values and cultural values belonging to different people and nations. Thus, in the future, he/she has the opportunity to find a job as a critic, commentator and producer of literary programs in the fields of media and publication.
Students take 32 credits of compulsory foreign language courses during their undergraduate education. In addition, according to their interests, they take 8 credits for literary text analysis in three western languages (English / German / French) and 4 credits of comparative literature seminars in the same languages. At the end of the program, students gain proficiency in at least two of the English, German and French languages. The program includes 79 credits of language and literature courses that must be taken in 8 semesters. In addition, our department students can do double major education in Turkish Language and Literature Department if they meet the necessary conditions. Since 2005-2006 academic year, Child and Youth Literature minor program has also started in our department. Completing this minor program starting from the 5th semester, students will receive both a Comparative Literature diploma and a Child and Youth Literature Scientist certificate.
The students of the department have to complete internship for 30 work days in national or international television channels, newspapers, publishing houses, magazines, etc. from the 4th semester of their undergraduate education.
You can watch the interview on departmental information from the link below.