Exploring Interdisciplinary Humanities: The Department of Comparative Thought and Literature at Johns Hopkins University

Department of Comparative Thought and Literature

The Department of Comparative Thought and Literature is an academic nucleus dedicated to exploring the intricate intersections between literature, philosophy, and aesthetics. The faculty members are deeply committed to the critical analysis of literary and philosophical texts across a diverse spectrum of traditions, genres, languages, as well as their connections with disciplines such as ethics, religion, history, art history, anthropology, media studies, political theory, and natural sciences.

Embracing an interdisciplinary spirit that fosters collaboration among scholars from ities departments across the university, this department stands out for its focus on intellectual curiosity, flexibility, open-mindedness, rigorous reading skills, and analytical criticism. The graduate students in our program are encouraged to engage with fundamental philosophical or theoretical challenges without being confined by traditional disciplinary boundaries.

Every academic year, we welcome distinguished associates from other institutions who stay for an exted period to deliver lectures, conduct seminars, and interact with faculty members and students. These visitors have included eminent scholars like Anita LaFrance Allen, Susan James, Barbara Cassin, David Wellbery, Robert Pippin, Jean-Luc Marion, Eli Friedlander, Sari Nusseibeh, and Toril Moi.

Established in the mid-20th century as a hub for ities disciplines, our department med to strengthen academic pursuits at Johns Hopkins University. Under Charles Singleton's leadership, it sought to establish itself as a pivotal location for exploring structuralist thought and literary hermeneutics, drawing inspiration from institutions like the sixth section of the ecole Pratique des Hautes etudes in Paris or the Institut fur Sozialforschung at Frankfurt University.

The department's inaugural academic year 1966-67 marked a significant moment when leading figures from European intellectual circles gathered for The Languages of Criticism and the Sciences of Man: The Structural Controversy conference. This event is now recognized as both a critical introduction of structuralist thought to the American academy and a pivotal turning point between structuralism and post-structuralism.

In line with our commitment to fostering interdisciplinary dialogue, innovation, and learning, on January 1, 2018, we officially changed our name from ities Center to Department of Comparative Thought and Literature. This change underscores our ongoing dedication to rigorous study in the ities, while also reflecting our commitment to exploring a wide range of literatures, philosophies, religions, political systems, cultures, and methodologies.

Our department offers a variety of courses taught by faculty members that provide an overview of Western cultural documents for students from diverse academic backgrounds. These include those interested in general liberal arts preparation as well as those pursuing pre-professional programs offered by the university.

While we do not offer departmental majors or minors directly through our department, students who wish to focus on these courses are encouraged to consider majors in other ities departments that align with their interests.

For further inquiries, please contact:

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD

410-516-8000
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