Literature at MIT embraces an expansive mission of textual study from a variety of perspectives. We are linked by a common interest in problems of narrative, aesthetics, genre and media, but our diverse, distinctive global curriculum explores a broad array of written, oral and visual forms, ranging from the ancient world to the 21st century. The heterogeneous nature of our Section allows students to develop critical sophistication through analysis of novels, poetry, drama, epic, and tales, and also film, television, comics, memoirs, and folk music. Literature at MIT welcomes a variety of cultural and theoretical methodologies while emphasizing close reading and comparative historical reflection. We preserve the best of the Humanistic tradition by teaching the value of rigorous attention to individual texts, authors, or forms, and are also committed to a flexible, comparative approach that can grapple with the constantly-evolving cultural productions of the digital age.

The Literature Section aims to maintain a level of excellence and innovation in the teaching and study of literature on par with the best universities, even as it remains responsive to MIT's distinctive intellectual environment. Our faculty consists of scholars who are leaders in their specific fields of study, and who are equally devoted to developing new and exciting ways of engaging undergraduates in literary study. Our courses will introduce you to the pleasures of reading and interpretation, expose you to different ways of thinking about the world, and lead to skills in writing and communication that will remain with you the rest of your life.

On this site, you will find an overview of the literature curriculum; detailed descriptions of course offerings for the current and upcoming semesters; contact information and bios for literature faculty and staff; as well as information on upcoming events and current students.