The Advanced Certificate in Comparative Approaches to the Literatures of Africa, the Middle East, and the Global South (CALAMEGS) offers a unique avenue for students wishing to study, in a systematic comparative way, the literatures of Africa, the Middle East, and Global South. Drawing on multiple courses offered by full-time faculty in literature and area studies departments at NYU, it gives theoretical and methodological direction through a mandatory introductory seminar.

I. Eligibility

Please note that the program has been approved both as a free-standing certificate for students not currently matriculated in a graduate program at NYU, and as a dual-degree with the Ph.D. programs in NYU Comparative Literature, English and American Literature, Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies, French Literature, Thought and Culture, and Italian Studies. Students funded through the MacCracken program will pay no additional tuition or fees.

II. Requirements

The required introductory seminar is Comparative Approaches to the Literatures of Africa, the Middle East, and the Global South, COLIT-GA 2511 (4 points). Students must also complete two courses (8 points) of Comparative Literature electives and two courses (8 points) of general electives, for a total of 20 points, to complete the Advanced Certificate. The Comparative Literature electives and general electives must be approved by the directors of the program. Please see a list of pre-approved courses here. In addition to selecting courses from this list, students may also request the review of other courses for approval, at the discretion of the directors, to fulfill these requirements.

All courses for the certificate can also count towards the 72 points needed for the PhD in Comparative Literature; thus, students can complete both programs with 72 points total.

Director: Prof. Hala Halim (hala.halim@nyu.edu)