University of Minnesota. Dept. of Comparative Literature.

Comparative literature was first taught by Oscar Firkins, a professor in the English department. He was promoted to professor of comparative literature in 1918. With this appointment he had no administrative connection with any existing department and served as the only faculty member who taught this subject until his death in 1932. In 1952, a committee was formed to establish a graduate program in comparative literature. The committee, appointed by the Dean of the Graduate School, was composed of professors N.J. DeWitt (chair), Huntington Brown, Guy Desgranges, Alrick Gustafson and Frank Wood. Courses in comparative literature were taught by faculty in the departments of Romance Languages, Classics, English, German and Scandinavian. The program of comparative literature was elevated to the status of a department in 1986. In 1964, discussions were held regarding a proposal to combine humanities and comparative literature. In 1992, the departments were combined, creating the cultural studies and comparative literature department (CSCL).

From the description of Department of Comparative Literature records, 1959-1992. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 769419930

Comparative literature was first taught by Oscar Firkins, a professor in the English department. He was promoted to professor of comparative literature in 1918. With this appointment he had no administrative connection with any existing department and served as the only faculty member who taught this subject until his death in 1932.

In 1952, a committee was formed to establish a graduate program in comparative literature. The committee, appointed by the Dean of the Graduate School, was composed of professors N.J. DeWitt (chair), Huntington Brown, Guy Desgranges, Alrick Gustafson and Frank Wood. Courses in comparative literature were taught by faculty in the departments of Romance Languages, Classics, English, German and Scandinavian. The program of comparative literature was elevated to the status of a department in 1986.

In 1964, discussions were held regarding a proposal to combine humanities and comparative literature. In 1992, the departments were combined, creating the cultural studies and comparative literature department (CSCL).

From the guide to the Department of Comparative Literature records, 1959-1992, (University of Minnesota Libraries. University of Minnesota Archives [uarc])