The aim of the minor in literary studies is to give first level students (students in the first or second year of their degree course) an introduction to the scientific approach to literature, make them aware of literature as a vehicle for culture, and, in more general terms, to encourage them to hone their critical and analytical skills.

As far as skills are concerned, the student will, at the end of his/her course of study, have familiarized him/herself with the main concepts of literary theory, enabling him/her to analyze texts accurately.S/he will then be able to build on his/her theoretical skills which will allow him/her to address the literary text in all its complexity.Over the course of the minor, the student will be asked to look at literary works from a variety of cultures and be invited to tackle them from a comparative point of view. His/her studies will have given him/her a sound introduction to drafting dissertations, and s/he will thus be better equipped to embark upon a literary master's. For ROM, GERM and CLAS students in particular, the program will help students acquire the critical capacities they will need for future literary research.