ILVS Program Requirements
Overview
Language and Cultural Requirements for the Major
Students are expected to have a firm grounding in two or more languages and
cultures, one of which may be English. One of these languages usually serves as
a primary area of cultural emphasis (e.g. Japanese language and culture), and
the other as a secondary area for the course work of the major (e.g. English and
Anglophone culture). In exceptional cases, the secondary area could be a
conceptual one (e.g. realism, feminism, film noir, etc.). Also, at the
discretion of the ILVS director, one may choose a different language/culture
combination (e.g. Japanese language / Chinese culture).
All students, except those on the World Literature Track, must take one foreign
language through the eighth semester, pursued concurrently with the course work
of the major. Those who are on the World Literature Track could complete the
major by finishing the regular Tufts foreign language requirement, though the
completion of eight semesters of a foreign language is highly recommended. One
could place out of the ILVS foreign language requirement through a language
placement test. In that case, studying a new foreign language is advisable.
Recommended Additional Preparation for the Major
An introductory survey course in the literature of each cultural area of
emphasis is strongly recommended, as are history courses in areas related to the
conceptual focus of the major, and acquisition of technical proficiency in a
visual discipline (e.g., calligraphy, painting, sculpture, filmmaking,
theatrical design, or computer graphics and design), or a creative writing
discipline (e.g., fiction, poetry, drama, essay, autobiography or journalism).We
offer ILVS 60 "Intro to Literary and Cultural Studies" for the Literature Track,
ILVS 70 "Intro to Visual Studies" for the Visual Studies Track, and ILVS 51 "Art
of the Moving Image" for the Film Track.
Rules for the Major
The major consists of twelve courses plus a senior project (one semester) or an
honors thesis (two semesters), not counting those taken for language
preparation. Of the twelve courses, two could be hands-on courses (e.g. creative
writing, studio art). At least six courses must have grades of C- or higher. No
major courses may be taken Pass/Fail. The particular distribution of courses is
determined by the emphasis selected by the student. Courses that may serve two
categories of requirement cannot be double-counted within the major. Any changes
in the proportions of these categories must be approved by petition to the ILVS
executive committee.
The Conceptual Focus
Students are expected to define, in close consultation with an adviser, a
suitable conceptual focus and interaction of subjects, so that the specific
combination of courses is neither arbitrary nor superficial. The active role of
the adviser is crucial to a student's pursuit of this major.
Conceptual focus for the major can examine domains such as: classical and
medieval studies; Renaissance literature and art; the Age of Enlightenment;
European Romanticism; literatures of the Third World; Asian literatures--China
and Japan; Russia and the West, African-American and new world literatures;
Jewish literatures in a world setting; the modern novel; studies in the epic;
women authors and gender readings; world theater and film, literature and art,
literature and film/media, art and film/media.
The past digitalized ILVS theses are stored at
Tufts Digital Library.
Both students and faculty are invited to expand the repertoire of conceptual
focuses, making the programs they design available to others.
Questions about
program requirements should be addressed to the following faculty members:
Director of ILVS
Hosea Hirata, Professor of Japanese Literature
Olin 302 x72671
Executive Committee
Nina Gerassi-Navarro, Professor of Latin American Studies
Olin 211 x72755
Tasha Oren, Associate Professor of Media Studies
Aidekman 5 x76541
Silvia Bottinelli,
Senior Lecturer, Visual & Critical Studies (SMFA)
SMFA Bo27
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