This major recognizes literature as a distinct discipline beyond national boundaries and combines the study of any two literatures in the areas of English, French, German, and Spanish. Students can thus explore two literatures widely and intensively at the upper levels of course offerings within each of the respective departments while developing and applying skills in foreign languages. The major prepares students for graduate study in either of the two literatures studied or in comparative literature.

The major requires at least six literature courses, equally divided between the two literatures concerned. The six must be at the advanced level as determined in consultation with advisors (normally courses numbered 200 and above in English and 400 and above in foreign languages). In general, two of the advanced courses in each literature should be period courses. The third course, taken either as a regular course or an independent study, may have as its subject another period, a particular author, genre, or literary theme, or some other unifying approach or idea. Beyond these six, the major must include at least two additional courses from among those counting toward a major in the departments involved. Any prerequisite courses in the respective departments (for example: ENGL 106, FRN 221-222 or 311, GERM 221-222, SPAN 221- 222) should be taken during the freshman year. Students should design their programs in consultation with a faculty member from each of the literatures concerned. Programs for the major must be approved by the departments involved.