Introduction to World Literature Course | IIT Madras Humanities
Course Details
| Exam Registration | 145 |
|---|---|
| Course Status | Ongoing |
| Course Type | Elective |
| Language | English |
| Duration | 12 weeks |
| Categories | Humanities and Social Sciences, English Studies |
| Credit Points | 3 |
| Level | Postgraduate |
| Start Date | 19 Jan 2026 |
| End Date | 10 Apr 2026 |
| Enrollment Ends | 02 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Registration Ends | 20 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Date | 25 Apr 2026 IST |
| NCrF Level | 4.5 — 8.0 |
Embark on a Global Literary Journey: Introduction to World Literature
In an increasingly interconnected world, understanding the stories that shape different cultures is more vital than ever. The Introduction to World Literature course, offered as a 12-week postgraduate program, provides a structured and profound exploration of literary masterpieces from across the globe. Guided by the expertise of Prof. Merin Simi Raj from the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras), this course is designed to unravel the complex dialogues between local contexts and global cultures through the power of narrative.
Meet Your Instructor: Prof. Merin Simi Raj
Prof. Merin Simi Raj brings a wealth of knowledge and a unique scholarly perspective to this course. As an Assistant Professor in the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences at IIT Madras, her specializations include Postcolonial Writing, Modernity Studies, and Historiography. Her teaching portfolio encompasses History of English Language and Literature, Indian fiction in English, Literary Criticism, and Feminist Writings, making her exceptionally qualified to guide students through the diverse terrain of world literatures.
Course Overview and Objectives
This course serves as a gateway to a wide array of writings produced in different nations, languages, and cultural contexts. While it doesn't claim to be an exhaustive survey of all literary traditions, it strategically introduces learners to representative texts available in English. The core objective is to examine how great writings intervene in and engage with global cultural conversations while remaining deeply rooted in their specific, local milieus. Each module is conceived as an 'entry point', equipping learners with the critical tools and curiosity to further explore the vast universe of world literatures on their own.
Who Should Enroll?
The course is intended for any interested learners, particularly postgraduate students and enthusiasts of literature, cultural studies, and history. Whether you are a formal student of the humanities or an avid reader seeking to broaden your literary horizons, this course offers valuable insights and a structured framework for understanding global narratives.
Detailed 12-Week Course Layout
| Week | Theme & Focus | Key Texts & Authors |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Introduction | Foundational concepts of World Literature. |
| Week 2 | Classics | Beowulf, Cervantes' Don Quixote, Arabian Nights. |
| Week 3 | Indian Literature | Kalidasa, Rabindranath Tagore, Salman Rushdie, Kamala Das. |
| Week 4 | Literature in Translation | Akutagawa's In a Grove, Borges' Garden of Forking Paths, Manto's Toba Tek Singh. |
| Week 5 | Short Stories & Novel Excerpts | Works by Gabriel García Márquez, Italo Calvino, Gustave Flaubert, Leo Tolstoy. |
| Week 6 | Poetry | Matthew Arnold's Dover Beach, T.S. Eliot's The Waste Land, Okot p'Bitek's Song of Lawino. |
| Week 7 | Drama | Henrik Ibsen's A Doll's House, Shakespeare's Othello. |
| Week 8 | African & African-American Literature | Toni Morrison, Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart, Alice Walker's Everyday Use. |
| Week 9 | English & American Literature | Arnold, Eliot, William Faulkner's A Rose for Emily. |
| Week 10 | Women Writers | Charlotte Perkins Gilman's The Yellow Wallpaper, Aphra Behn's Oroonoko. |
| Week 11 | Prose & Critical Theory | Aristotle's Poetics, Roland Barthes' The Death of the Author, Virginia Woolf's A Room of One's Own, Annette Kolodny's Dancing through the Minefield. |
| Week 12 | Contemporary Writers & New Genres | Exploration of modern literary forms and emerging voices. |
Essential Reading and Reference Materials
To deepen your understanding, the course references several seminal texts in the field of World Literature studies. These include:
- The Routledge Concise History of World Literature by Theo D'haen.
- World Literature: A Reader edited by Theo D'haen et al.
- What is World Literature? by David Damrosch.
These resources provide the theoretical backbone for the course, helping students contextualize the primary texts within broader academic discourses.
Why Study World Literature?
This course is more than a survey of books; it's an exercise in critical empathy and global citizenship. By engaging with stories from diverse epochs and regions—from the ancient epics to postcolonial novels and feminist theory—you will develop a nuanced understanding of how human experiences are universally connected yet uniquely expressed. You will learn to analyze the movement of texts across borders and the ways they are transformed through translation and reception.
Under the guidance of Prof. Merin Simi Raj, you will not just read world literature—you will learn to critically interrogate its definitions, its politics, and its power to shape our understanding of the world and ourselves.
Enroll today and begin your transformative journey through the rich and diverse landscape of World Literature.
Enroll Now →