The Literature Faculty regularly sponsors activities (both for-credit and non-credit) during IAP that are open to students and the MIT community at large. Subjects offered for credit (under the general subject number 21L.995) vary in topic and focus, but require regular attendance and participation. Other sponsored activities are flexible: people can drop in and out as they choose.

All activities for IAP 2008 are briefly described on this page. Please contact the Literature Section Headquarters (14N-407) should you need further information.

Subjects Offered for Credit

Instructor: Mary Fuller

TR 7:00 - 9:00pm
Dates: Jan 8, 10, 15, 17, 22, 24, 29, 31
Location: 14N-112

In this 3-unit class, we will read Milton's epic poem Paradise Lost. The goal of the class is for students to come away feeling comfortable with its language and argument; meeting in a small group will also allow us to talk about the key questions and issues raised by the poem. This reading course is open to all, but it is particularly designed to complement 21L.705, a longer seminar on Milton and twentieth-century fantasy offered in S08 which assumes that participants will have read the poem at least once. Work for the subject: participation, journals, leading discussion.

Non-Credit Activities

Organizer: Stephen Tapscott

MW 4:00 - 6:00pm
Location: 2-105

A screening of a series of films based upon books. Each screening will be preceded by a brief introduction to the film by a member of the Literature Faculty. Free and open to the public: attend one or more, it's up to you.

Organizer: David Thorburn

M - F 1:00 - 2:00
Location: 14E-304

Every IAP, the Literature Faculty (with a lot of help from its friends*) presents the Pleasures of Poetry, a reading and discussion of memorable poems, chosen and led by a Literature Faculty member (or friend), and open to the entire MIT Community. The sessions take place at the same time and in the same room throughout IAP, and we encourage people to drop in whenever they feel the urge to get their poetry fix!

The Schedule of poems to be discussed and names of the session leaders may be found below. A packet containing this schedule and all of the poems in the series is available from the Literature Office (14N-407) and may also be downloaded here.