About Literature as History
The courses in the Literature as History (LH) specialization explore how literature reflects, illuminates, and imagines histories past, present, and future. Students pursuing this specialization will interrogate the relationships between texts and social, political, economic and cultural histories.
The following questions animate the courses selected to fulfill the requirements:
- How do texts challenge dominant historical narratives through their incorporation of diverse voices and underdocumented events, crises, and social upheavals?
- How do texts intervene in shaping the debates of history by elaborating alternative directions and possibilities?
- What kind of future histories do genres such as science fiction and fantasy imagine?
- What methods do texts use to navigate their historical present?
- How does language itself act as an instrument for historical change?
Requirements (3 courses)
Take 3 approved courses. Courses that fulfill this specialization will vary year to year depending on schedule offerings.
For questions about this specialization and the eligibility of specific courses, contact one of the Co-Directors of the letter: Ruth Jennison or Marjorie Rubright. This letter of specialization is open to students from any major.
Associate Professor
Office: W437 South College
Associate Professor & Director, Kinney Center for Interdisciplinary Renaissance Studies
Office: W439 South College