The Comparative Literature program is proud to foster an inclusive and diverse environment for students and faculty alike, where scholars from a broad range of racial, ethnic, socio-economic, gender, disabled and neurodiverse groups can work together in a thriving scholarly community. Scholars from all different backgrounds and with all kinds of interests are encouraged and supported both intellectually and financially in their pursuit of scholarly excellence. Whether you are interested in Native American writers, anti-racist pedagogies, Disability Studies, Hispanic Students Outreach initiatives, Queer Studies or mentoring disadvantaged K-12 students, you will find a welcoming and supportive environment in our program.

This commitment to diversity is reflected in our efforts to recruit students with varied backgrounds and interests. Admission into the program is based on a combination of prior academic achievement, significant research interests, and evidence of the potential for success at the graduate level in spite of economic and social disadvantages.

University awards in support of these values include the multi-year Eugene Cota-Robles Fellowship and the Doctoral Scholars Fellowship, which provide four- to five-year support packages that combine stipends of $24,000 for two years with two to three years of teaching assistantships and payment of fees, tuition and health insurance.