ACADEMICS
Overview
Literature at MIT embraces an expansive vision of literary study. We are linked by a common interest in problems of narrative, aesthetics, genre, and media, but our curriculum explores a broad array of written, oral, and visual forms, ranging from the ancient and medieval world to the 21st century. We teach poetry, drama, prose fiction, and nonfiction, and also film, television, comics, and music. Our curriculum emphasizes critical reading, writing, and thinking, and educates students in methods including critical theory, the digital humanities, and theories of race, gender, class, and sexuality. Literature subjects engage students in the pleasures and challenges of reading and interpretation, expose them to fresh ways of thinking about the world, around the world; and develop valuable, transferable skills in writing and communication.
Curriculum
Introductory
Samplings
Intermediate
Seminars
A Focus in Literature
Concentration
The requirements for a Literature concentration are three subjects, including one subject from the intermediate tier (400-, 500-, 600-) and one subject from the seminar (700-) tier. Two six-unit samplings courses (from the 300 and 600- tier) may be combined by petition to count as one intermediate-tier subject for the purposes of a concentration. Certain subjects from outside of Literature may also qualify as part of a Literature concentration with permission of the instructor. To propose a concentration, you must meet with a concentration advisor, who will help you define your concentration and select courses that best suit your interests and objectives.
Here is further information on the requirements for the concentrations.
If you are interested in concentrating, get in touch with a concentration advisor, litconcentrationadvisor@mit.edu.
Concentration
Concentration
The requirements for a Literature concentration are three subjects, including one subject from the intermediate tier (400-, 500-, 600-) and one subject from the seminar (700-) tier. Two six-unit samplings courses (from the 300 and 600- tier) may be combined by petition to count as one intermediate-tier subject for the purposes of a concentration. Certain subjects from outside of Literature may also qualify as part of a Literature concentration with permission of the instructor. To propose a concentration, you must meet with a concentration advisor, who will help you define your concentration and select courses that best suit your interests and objectives.
Here is further information on the requirements for the concentrations.
If you are interested in concentrating, get in touch with a concentration advisor, litconcentrationadvisor@mit.edu.
Minor
The Literature minor, with a focus either in film and literature, is designed to allow a student to build on their concentration in Literature. Students wishing to minor must meet the designated advisor to plan out their course of study.
The minor program in literature requires six subjects:
- At least one and no more than two courses from the list of introductory literature subjects
- Two or three courses from the Literature intermediate subjects. Two six-unit Samplings subjects may be petitioned to count for a maximum of two twelve-unit intermediate subject; and at least two courses focus on material before the 1900s
- At least two seminars
The minor program with a film focus also requires six subjects approved by the minor advisor, including at least three subjects from the following list:
- 21L.011 Introduction to Film Studies
- 21L.431: Shakespeare on Film and Media
- 21L.433 Film Styles and Genres
- 21L.435 Literature and Film
- 21L.706 Studies in Film
In the semester in which you are taking the final subjects needed to complete the minor, you will meet again with a minor advisor to submit the Completion of Minor form.
For more information, download this info sheet
If you are interested in minoring, get in touch with a minor advisor lit-minor-advisor@mit.edu for the literature focus minor and literature film focus minor.
Minor Application form: https://registrar.mit.edu/sites/default/files/2022-08/HASS_Minor_Application_Form.pdf
Minor Completion form: https://registrar.mit.edu/sites/default/files/2022-08/HASS_Minor_Completion_Form.pdf
Minor
Minor
The Literature minor, with a focus either in film and literature, is designed to allow a student to build on their concentration in Literature. Students wishing to minor must meet the designated advisor to plan out their course of study.
The minor program in literature requires six subjects:
- At least one and no more than two courses from the list of introductory literature subjects
- Two or three courses from the Literature intermediate subjects. Two six-unit Samplings subjects may be petitioned to count for a maximum of two twelve-unit intermediate subject; and at least two courses focus on material before the 1900s
- At least two seminars
The minor program with a film focus also requires six subjects approved by the minor advisor, including at least three subjects from the following list:
- 21L.011 Introduction to Film Studies
- 21L.431: Shakespeare on Film and Media
- 21L.433 Film Styles and Genres
- 21L.435 Literature and Film
- 21L.706 Studies in Film
In the semester in which you are taking the final subjects needed to complete the minor, you will meet again with a minor advisor to submit the Completion of Minor form.
For more information, download this info sheet
If you are interested in minoring, get in touch with a minor advisor lit-minor-advisor@mit.edu for the literature focus minor and literature film focus minor.
Minor Application form: https://registrar.mit.edu/sites/default/files/2022-08/HASS_Minor_Application_Form.pdf
Minor Completion form: https://registrar.mit.edu/sites/default/files/2022-08/HASS_Minor_Completion_Form.pdf
Joint Major
The major in Literature is well-suited to those students who want to experience a wide range of literary and filmic texts across historical periods. The joint major in Literature, offering flexibility in how the major course of study is constructed, has the following degree requirements:
- At least 180 units beyond the GIRs
- At least eight subjects in Literature, along with at least six subjects in the science or engineering field of their choice. Students should consult with the appropriate science or engineering department for their regulations as to which six subjects are required.
- Of the eight Literature subjects, no more than three may be introductory subjects, and at least two must be seminars.
- Three of eight subjects must be distributed according to one of two available rubrics: Historical Periods or Thematic Complexes.
Literature majors intrigued by sustained intellectual work conducted under the supervision of a faculty member are encouraged to consider completing a Literature Thesis. For further information on the requirements and options for the major, including the joint as well as the full or double major, click here.
If you are considering a Literature major, contact litacademics@mit.edu, the Undergraduate Academic Administrator.
Joint Major
Joint Major
The major in Literature is well-suited to those students who want to experience a wide range of literary and filmic texts across historical periods. The joint major in Literature, offering flexibility in how the major course of study is constructed, has the following degree requirements:
- At least 180 units beyond the GIRs
- At least eight subjects in Literature, along with at least six subjects in the science or engineering field of their choice. Students should consult with the appropriate science or engineering department for their regulations as to which six subjects are required.
- Of the eight Literature subjects, no more than three may be introductory subjects, and at least two must be seminars.
- Three of eight subjects must be distributed according to one of two available rubrics: Historical Periods or Thematic Complexes.
Literature majors intrigued by sustained intellectual work conducted under the supervision of a faculty member are encouraged to consider completing a Literature Thesis. For further information on the requirements and options for the major, including the joint as well as the full or double major, click here.
If you are considering a Literature major, contact litacademics@mit.edu, the Undergraduate Academic Administrator.
Full or Double Major
The major in Literature is well-suited to those students who want to experience a wide range of literary and filmic texts across historical periods. The full or double major in Literature has the following requirements:
- At least 180-198 units beyond the GIRs
- At least ten subjects in Literature
- No more than three subjects may be introductory subjects, and at least three must be seminars.
- Four subjects of the ten must be distributed according to one of two available rubrics: Historical Periods or Thematic Complexes.
Literature majors intrigued by sustained intellectual work conducted under the supervision of a faculty member are encouraged to consider completing a Literature Thesis.
For further information on the requirements for the major, including the joint as well as the full or double major, click here.
If you are considering a Literature major, contact litacademics@mit.edu, the Undergraduate Academic Administrator.
Click here for the Double Major Form: https://registrar.mit.edu/sites/default/files/2020-08/double_major_application.pdf
Full/Double Major
Full or Double Major
The major in Literature is well-suited to those students who want to experience a wide range of literary and filmic texts across historical periods. The full or double major in Literature has the following requirements:
- At least 180-198 units beyond the GIRs
- At least ten subjects in Literature
- No more than three subjects may be introductory subjects, and at least three must be seminars.
- Four subjects of the ten must be distributed according to one of two available rubrics: Historical Periods or Thematic Complexes.
Literature majors intrigued by sustained intellectual work conducted under the supervision of a faculty member are encouraged to consider completing a Literature Thesis.
For further information on the requirements for the major, including the joint as well as the full or double major, click here.
If you are considering a Literature major, contact litacademics@mit.edu, the Undergraduate Academic Administrator.
Click here for the Double Major Form: https://registrar.mit.edu/sites/default/files/2020-08/double_major_application.pdf
Academic Advisors
Wiebke Denecke
Concentration Advisor
Laura Finch
Concentration Advisor
Margery Resnick
Concentration Advisor
James Buzard
Minor Advisor
Marah Gubar
Minor Advisor
Arthur Bahr
Undergraduate Officer
