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Comparative Literature Undergraduate
Students
| Benjamin R. Bray | | Greetings,
Travelers on an expedition with twists and turns, immeasurable perils, and a goal that makes it all worth it. The life of a college student can easily be described as the former. However, one must keep that description in perspective. The fact is that college is filled with twists and turns, but one would lose their way to boredom without the thrill of unexpected challenges. College may also seem impossible, as if what’s asked of a student is too much to measure up to. However, one does not grow stronger without overcoming adversity. I offer these words as means to encourage. I do this because I experienced part of the expedition already and have come to realize I’ll need help to reach the goal that makes the perils worth overcoming. That goal, a higher level of appreciation for intellectual prowess, is within my reach thanks to my own determination and priceless aid from the Comparative Literature department.
The Comparative Literature department has been a blessing on my life from day one. My name is Benjamin R. Bray and I am a second year Comparative Literature major here at UCI, booyah! I enjoy reading and writing, especially mythical fantasy. Comic books, manga, and epic fantasy novels are the main section of my library. I enjoy theatre and music; combining the two and putting them in a movie directed by Tim Burton and starring Johnny Depp produced my favorite movie of all time, Sweeney Todd. I am adamant video game player with a major preference for RPGs. I am an energetic and imaginative person. The best part is that being who I am is completely embraced and encouraged by the wonderful people of the Comp Lit department. Being a Comp Lit major means so much more than reading indescribably awesome pieces of literature from throughout time and across the globe. It means so much more than gaining a razor sharp talent for analyzing literature in great depth. I know what you’re thinking, how could something mean so much more than that? Well, it’s actually quite simple.
Comp Lit is filled with brilliant instructors capable of sheer genius levels of interpretation of the text as well as their presentation of that interpretation. They each genuinely care about each of their students. They find unparalleled joy in the success of their students. They are dedicated to ensuring that each and every one of their students is supplied with everything they need to navigate those twists and turns, and measure up to college level standards and beyond. Comp Lit instructors go beyond their jobs as teachers and mentors. I can honestly say with absolutely no reservations that I felt like part of a family from the very moment I attended my first Comp Lit meeting. The instructors work hard to try making the family grow. I’m looking forward to their results, because I’m sure that they will be very positive and the Comp Lit family will grow. |
| | Floreana Edwards-Younger | |  "I am a 4th year double major in Comparative Literature and Spanish Language. In my sophomore year, I studied abroad in Argentina and was able to earn both Comparative Literature and Spanish course credits while there! Besides the Humanities, I have also been involved on campus through the Campus Representatives, Arroyo Vista Housing, the Center for International Education, and the Association of University Meditators.
I have always had a strong interest in the Humanities and the enthusiasm and dedication of the Humanities professors at UCI was a strong factor in my decision to attend UCI. I love Comp Lit because the I feel that it allows me to study a bit of everything. I find myself really enjoying writing essays because I am really energized about the subject matter, and I feel that student's perspectives are taken seriously. Each course I take brings up a perspective, theory, discipline, or cultural aspect that is new to me or challenges my previous ideas. Because of this, class discussion is usually very interesting (and the small class size makes it friendly and easy to chat, get to know the professor, etc.).
After I graduate, I plan to take a year off in Spain before going to graduate school. In terms of grad school studies, I am very interested in European Literature. Also, I am becoming increasingly interested in nutritional and environmental health issues as a social problem and would like to weave this type of research into my interaction with Comparative Literature's cultural studies." |
| | Thomas Hall | |  I love Comparative Literature! It combines my interest in English and my passion for learning about other cultures seamlessly. We read the classics from Shakespeare and Fitzgerald, study the Muslim Hip-Hop movement and analyze carvings in masks from the Pacific Islands. Then, what is really fascinating is how we learn to uncover parallels between these seemingly diverse concepts. Comparative Literature compliments both my second major in International Studies and my minor in Management very well. I have studied many global issues through my professor’s diverse reading lists and almost more importantly I have learned how to clearly articulate my thoughts through writing and
speech. The communication skills I have gained through Comparative Literate will help me succeed in my future endeavors in pursuing an MBA and moving into the business world. Being a Comparative Literature major at UCI has also enabled me to travel to Hong Kong and study literature at the University of Hong Kong. This experience inspired me to focus my Senior Honor’s Thesis on race in
advertisements throughout China, Japan and Thailand. |
| | Andy An Hoang | |  My name is Andy An Hoang. I'm a double major in Comparative Literature and Neurobiology. My interests are in medicine, folk literature, and global cultures. My thesis for Comp. Lit. examines the ideological conflicts between Western medicine and Southeast Asian folk culture through studies of folklore, literature, and religion. I hope to eventually go into international medicine. I decided on Comp. Lit. after taking Professor Newman's class on "Intertextuality and the Western Tradition". The class re-sparked my interest in literature. But more importantly, it gave me a chance to appreciate the art of reading comparatively. |
| | Quynh-Anh Nguyen | |  I am a 3rd year double major in Comparative Literature and Film & Media Studies. Some of my abstract interests are: contemporary Japanese media [anime, manga, Superflat], film theory, media and monstrosity, and gender studies in Asia.
In the future, I plan to apply to graduate school and continue with my studies in film theory. I hope to become a media scholar and be able to travel the world and teach.
Being a Comparative Literature major has helped me to improve my analytical skills and gain confidence in myself as a writer by interacting with professors who have been such an inspiration to me in their vast knowledge, great enthusiasm for what they teach, and their profound empathy towards their students for the struggles and frustrations that many of us go through while trying to test the limits of our capabilities. I have found that the skills taught in Comp Lit (the ability to translate your intangible thoughts into writing, the capacity to think analytically) are advantageous in that they are applicable to any major across the humanities as well as being lifelong skills that you will put to use in any future career that you may choose.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the Comp Lit major, classes, or requirements, please do not hesitate to contact me. My email is quynhann@uci.edu. |
| | D. Christian Quezada | |  I am a 3rd year transfer student double majoring in Comparative Literature and Religious Studies. In my time at UCI I have enjoyed a wide variety of interdisciplinary classes taught by an exceptional faculty of professors who have prepared me to engage literature and culture through a grounded lens both critical and theoretical. Having recently returned from a year abroad in Granada Spain I am now finishing up my last few quarters and applying for graduate school.
My interests reflect a broad range of themes drawn from personal interest, studies at UCI and time abroad including but not limited to:
The dialectic of religion and literature,
British and French occult revivals of the 19th and 20th Century,
Religious syncretism, resistance and cultural memory in popular culture,
Mysticism as a critique of the enlightenment,
Alterity and hospitality in the Weird tale,
Voice, ritual and fantasy in childhood narrative,
Surrealism and the Bullfight. |
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