American Literature & Culture Course | IIT Madras Postgraduate Humanities
Course Details
| Exam Registration | 248 |
|---|---|
| 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 | 18 Apr 2026 IST |
| NCrF Level | 4.5 — 8.0 |
American Literature & Culture: A 12-Week Postgraduate Journey with IIT Madras
Embark on an intellectual exploration of the United States through its most powerful and enduring stories. The postgraduate course American Literature & Culture, offered by the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology Madras, provides a comprehensive 12-week journey through the seminal texts that have shaped the American consciousness. Guided by the esteemed Prof. Aysha Viswamohan, this course is designed to deepen your understanding of literary artistry and its intricate ties to cultural evolution.
Meet Your Instructor: Prof. Aysha Viswamohan
Prof. Aysha Viswamohan is a professor in the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences at IIT Madras. With a distinguished research profile spanning Film studies, Fashion studies, and American Literature, she brings a unique interdisciplinary lens to literary analysis. Her scholarly work is published by leading international presses including Oxford University Press, Cambridge University Press, Routledge, and Palgrave Macmillan. This rich expertise ensures the course is grounded in rigorous academic research and contemporary critical perspectives.
Course Overview and Structure
This postgraduate-level course spans 12 weeks and is tailored for learners with a foundational familiarity with English or American literature. It moves chronologically and thematically through key movements and authors, from realism and naturalism to modernism and post-war counter-cultures.
Detailed Course Layout: Your 12-Week Syllabus
| Week | Author & Focus | Key Texts & Themes |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1-2 | Henry James | The Portrait of a Lady: Realism, character psychology, and international themes. |
| Week 3 | Theodore Dreiser | An American Tragedy: Naturalism, the American Dream, and determinism. |
| Week 4 | Eugene O’Neill | Desire under the Elms: Tragic drama, familial conflict, and primal desires. |
| Week 5 | American Romanticism & Southern Gothic | Edgar Allan Poe’s “Annabel Lee” and Flannery O’Connor’s “Good Country People.” |
| Week 6 | Ernest Hemingway | The Sun Also Rises: The Lost Generation, modernism, and the “iceberg” style. |
| Week 7 | Edith Wharton | The Age of Innocence: Old New York society, manners, and social constraint. |
| Week 8 | Lillian Hellman | The Children’s Hour: Drama, scandal, and social morality. |
| Week 9 | Arthur Miller | A View from the Bridge: American tragedy, immigration, and the common man. |
| Week 10 | Modern Poetry & Popular Genres | Hart Crane’s “To Brooklyn Bridge,” Pulp Fiction, and Science Fiction. |
| Week 11 | Contemporary Discourse | Christopher Hitchens’ “Jewish Power, Jewish Peril” and Counter Culture. |
| Week 12 | Course Conclusion | Synthesis of themes and final perspectives on American literature and culture. |
Primary and Secondary Reading Materials
The course offers a rich blend of primary literary texts and critical secondary sources to foster deep analysis.
Primary Texts:
- Henry James. The Portrait of a Lady.
- Theodore Dreiser. An American Tragedy.
- Eugene O’Neill. Desire under the Elms.
- Ernest Hemingway. The Sun Also Rises.
- Edgar Allan Poe. “Annabel Lee”.
- Flannery O’Connor. “Good Country People.”
- Edith Wharton. The Age of Innocence.
- Lillian Hellman. The Children’s Hour.
- Arthur Miller. A View from the Bridge.
- Hart Crane. “To Brooklyn Bridge.”
- Christopher Hitchens. “Jewish Power, Jewish Peril.”
Recommended Secondary Texts:
- Bertens, Hans & Theo D’haen. American Literature: A History.
- Baym, Nina. Norton Anthology of American Literature.
- Gray, Richard. A History of American Literature.
- Bradbury, Malcolm and Ruland, Richard. From Puritanism to Postmodernism.
- Salzman, Jack. The Cambridge Handbook of American Literature.
Who Should Enroll?
This course is ideal for:
- Postgraduate students in English Literature, Humanities, and American Studies.
- Researchers and academics seeking to broaden their literary knowledge.
- Avid readers and lifelong learners with a keen interest in American culture and classic literature.
- Professionals in education, writing, and cultural sectors looking for structured, high-level academic content.
The course is recognized for industry support from colleges and universities, adding value to academic and professional profiles.
Why Study American Literature & Culture at IIT Madras?
This course is more than a survey of great books. It is a critical engagement with the forces that have defined America: its ambitions, conflicts, identities, and ideals. Under the guidance of a professor with world-class research credentials, you will not only analyze plot and character but also decode the literary techniques, styles, and cultural contexts that make these works timeless. From the psychological depth of Henry James to the stark realism of Arthur Miller, this journey through American letters promises to be transformative.
Enroll today to secure your place in this insightful exploration of American Literature & Culture and view the American experience through the masterful lens of its greatest writers.
Enroll Now →