1. Tufts University’s ILVS Major
►Since 1998

2. International Literary and Visual Studies

3. ILVS The study of literature, film, and art in an international context
World Lit
Film
Art

4. ILVS Students often have
School of the Museum of Fine Arts and Film and Media Studies connections
Strong language and arts backgrounds
Interest in cultures and diversity
in “soft power”
in off the beaten path

5. ILVS compared to IR International Foreign languages
Arts and humanities emphasis
Small program

6. How is ILVS different from a single‐language major, such as English or Spanish?
►More comparative
►Multidisciplinary
►More theoretical
►Foreign languages
►Literature + film + art

7. Language Preparation
►One foreign language (to the eighth semester level)
►A second language (to any level) recommended.
For those on World Lit track, just Tufts foreign language requirement

8. Choose a disciplinary emphasis
►Literature (foreign language required)
►World Lit (foreign language not required)
►Film
►Visual studies

9. For example, you’ll study a lot of film, and some literature and art.

10. Take the appropriate Theory Courses
►ILVS 060 Literary Studies
►ILVS 050 Film Studies
►Visual Theory
►Culture Theory
►Gender Theory
ILVS 51 Film Studies
ILVS 60 Literary Studies
ILVS 70 Visual Studies

11. Develop a feel for comparative, cross‐ cultural study
► Choose a primary culture area (e.g. French, Middle Eastern, etc.)
► Choose a secondary culture area (e.g. Anglophone, Japanese, etc. or could be conceptual, e.g., feminism, avant-garde poetry, etc.)

12. Two languages and two culture areas*
Japanese
English
Japan
China
*They usually match, but not always.

13. Sometimes “the secondary area” could be conceptual
Japanese
English
Japan
Realism

14. to a thesis or project your senior year
Have an idea or set of questions that direct your choice of courses and lead
to a thesis or project your senior year

15. Pick an advisor who shares your interests
►Art and Art History
►Classics
►Drama and Dance
►English
►International Literary and Cultural Studies
►Romance Studies
►Visual and Critical Studies at SMFA

16. What do ILVSers become? ►Multicultural writers ►Multicultural artists
►Multicultural journalists
►Multicultural film makers
►Multicultural educators
►Multicultural activists
►Multicultural lawyers
►Multicultural entrepreneurs
►Multicultural doctors

17. ILVS Summary, 5 questions
What are my two languages (one could be English)?
Which track do I focus on—literature, world literature, film, or visual art?
What are my two culture areas?
What idea or question am I pursuing?
Who will be my advisor?

18. Frequently asked questions
Do I have to do two languages? Yes, but English could be one of the two languages.
Can I count hands‐on creative courses, like creative writing, photography, etc.? You can count two.
If I’m doing an SMFA art project, can that count for my ILVS project? Yes, but you should supplement it with a paper that talks about what you’ve done.
Do I have to take ILVS courses for the major? No. Any culture, literature, film/media, visual studies course would count toward the ILVS major.

19. For more information:
Hosea Hirata
Department of International Literary and Cultural Studies
Olin 302