The ways in which literary texts reflect and engage with their historical, political, and social contexts, and how readers interpret these meanings.
Literary Theory: The various approaches and methodologies used to study literature and understand its role in society.
Cultural Studies: The examination of how culture reflects and shapes society, including literature and other forms of artistic expression.
Colonial & Postcolonial Literature: The study of works written by authors from countries affected by European colonization and imperialism.
Feminist Literature: The study of works written by women or that deal with women's issues, with a focus on gender, sexuality, and identity.
LGBTQ Literature: The study of works written by or about people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer.
Multicultural literature: The study of literature from diverse cultural perspectives, with a focus on inclusion and representation.
Postmodern Literature: The study of literature and art that challenges traditional forms and structures, often experimenting with language and narrative.
Popular Culture: The study of mass media and entertainment, including literature, film, television, and music.
Environmental Literature: The study of literature, both fiction and non-fiction, that explores human relationships with and impact on the natural world.
Global Literature: The study of literature from around the world, with a focus on cross-cultural understanding and exchange.
Science Fiction & Fantasy Literature: The study of works that imagine worlds and societies different from our own, often exploring issues of power, identity, and technology.
Shakespearean Literature: The study of the works of William Shakespeare, including the cultural and historical context in which they were written.
Poetry and Poetics: The study of poetry as an art form, with a focus on its structure, language, and meaning.
Gothic Literature: The study of literature that explores supernatural and macabre themes, often reflecting societal anxieties and fears.
Modernism & Postmodernism: The study of 20th century literature that rejected traditional forms and structures, often exploring issues of identity and fragmentation.
Literary Translation: The study of how literature is translated across different languages and cultures, with a focus on interpretation and cultural exchange.
Postcolonial literature: Literature written by authors from formerly colonized countries, exploring themes related to colonization, cultural identity, and power dynamics.
Global literature: Literature that transcends national boundaries, often examining universal themes such as love, loss, and human nature.
Feminist literature: Literature that emphasizes women's experiences, perspectives, and agency, often promoting gender equality and challenging patriarchal norms.
Queer literature: Literature that explores LGBTQ+ culture, identity, and politics, often challenging heteronormative assumptions and promoting LGBTQ+ rights.
Diaspora literature: Literature written by authors who are part of a displaced minority community, often exploring themes related to migration, cultural hybridity, and identity formation.
Environmental literature: Literature that explores human interactions with the environment, promoting ecological awareness and often advocating for environmental stewardship.
Gothic literature: Literature characterized by atmospheric settings, supernatural elements, and melodramatic themes, often exploring the darker aspects of human experience.
Magical realism: Literature that blends realistic and fantastical elements, often questioning the boundaries between reality and imagination.
Historical fiction: Fiction that is set in the past, often blending real historical events with fictional characters and plot lines.
Science fiction: Fiction that explores hypothetical future scenarios or alternate realities, often incorporating futuristic or speculative technology.