English and Comparative Literature Department

Haughty. Pompous. Literate. The English and Comparative Literature Department is located in Philosophy Hall and, despite its official title, isn't really the place for people who want to do comp. lit, except as an afterthought (real comparativists want to check out the Institute for Comparative Literature and Society instead).

The department is basically split down the middle between contemporary theory-heads and old guard language-philes, but has settled into a sort of quiescent Cold War since the flare-ups of the 1980s, which left the department's reputation in ruins. Mainstays like Gayatri Spivak, and the aura of Edward Said, have helped retain some of the department's lustre, however. The department still boasts some giants in the field such as Edward Mendelson, Bruce Robbins, James Shapiro, and Philip Kitcher.