Comparative Literature Studies
Here are some potential dissertation writing objectives for comparative literature studies:
To compare and contrast the themes, motifs, and narrative techniques used in two or more literary works from different cultures or time periods.
To analyze the ways in which the literary works engage with similar cultural and historical contexts and how these contexts shape the representation of characters, themes and motifs.
To examine the influence of one literary work on another and how it reflects on the literary tradition and literary history.
To explore the ways in which literary works from different cultures or time periods engage with similar literary and cultural issues.
To analyze the similarities and differences in the representation of gender, race, class, and other social issues in the literary works.
To examine the ways in which literary works reflect on the societal and cultural context in which they were written and how they reflect on the contemporary world.
To explore the ways in which literary works from different cultures or time periods resonate with contemporary readers and the impact they have on the literary and cultural landscape.
To evaluate the literary works from the perspective of literary theory and criticism and how it shapes the interpretation and understanding of the literary works.
These objectives will help you to focus on what you want to achieve while writing the dissertation on comparative literature studies.
Literature Review Guidelines
A literature review in comparative literature studies typically involves researching and analyzing previous scholarly work on the topic or theme being studied. The following are some general guidelines for conducting a literature review in this field:
Identify the research question or theme: Start by identifying the specific topic or theme that you will be researching in your literature review. This will help you focus your search for relevant literature.
Conduct a thorough search: Use a variety of sources, such as academic databases, journals, and books, to find relevant literature on your topic. Be sure to search for both primary and secondary sources.
Evaluate the literature: Carefully read and evaluate the literature you have found. Consider the author's qualifications, the publication date, and the relevance of the work to your research question or theme.
Organize the literature: Once you have evaluated the literature, organize it into categories or themes. This will make it easier to analyze and synthesize the information.
Analyze and synthesize the literature: Use the literature you have gathered to analyze and synthesize the information. Identify patterns, gaps, and areas of agreement and disagreement in the literature.
Write the literature review: Write the literature review, summarizing the key findings and discussing their relevance to your research question or theme. Be sure to cite your sources correctly and include a reference list at the end of the review.
Conclusion: Summarize the main findings and their implications for the research question or theme.
Resources
There are many resources available for reviewing literature in comparative literature studies, including books, journals, and online databases. Some specific resources to consider include:
Books: Look for introductory textbooks on comparative literature, as well as specialized books on the specific topic or theme you are researching. Some classic texts in the field include "Comparative Literature: A Critical Introduction" by Steven Tötösy de Zepetnek and "The Theory of Comparative Literature" by Andre Lefevere.
Journals: Many scholarly journals publish articles on comparative literature, including the "Comparative Literature Studies," "Journal of Comparative Literature and Aesthetics," and "Comparative Literature and Culture."
Online databases: There are several online databases that provide access to scholarly literature on comparative literature, including JSTOR, Project MUSE, and the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ). These databases allow you to search for articles, books, and other resources on specific topics or themes.
Websites: There are many websites and blogs dedicated to comparative literature, which provide reviews, discussion and analysis of different literary works, and also some good websites of different literary journals, such as "The Comparatist" which provides information about upcoming conferences, calls for papers, and other events in the field.
Conferences: Attending conferences in comparative literature can be a great way to learn about new research and to network with other scholars in the field. Many conferences have proceedings that are published, and these can be a valuable source of information.
It's important to remember that, depending on the specific topic or theme you are researching, you may need to search for resources beyond those specifically related to comparative literature, such as resources in the languages and cultures being compared.