---
title: Literature
description: Literature as an academic field: the canons, genres, drama, and comparative study.
category: social-sciences
url: /subcategory/social-sciences/literature
---

# Literature

Literature as an academic field: the canons, genres, drama, and comparative study.

## Available Subjects

### American Literature

This study covers the literary history of the United States from the colonial era to the present. Learners will analyze key texts, movements, and authors to understand how American identity, history, and culture are reflected in written works.

**Difficulty:** Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

**Resources:** 4 books, 2 courses, 3 websites

[Learn American Literature](/subject/american-literature)

### British Literature

This subject explores the literary traditions of the British Isles from the Anglo-Saxon period to the modern era. Learners will analyze major works, genres, and historical contexts to understand the evolution of the English language and British cultural history.

**Difficulty:** Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

**Resources:** 4 books, 2 websites

[Learn British Literature](/subject/british-literature)

### Contemporary Literature

This field focuses on literature written from the late 20th century to the present. Learners will examine modern themes, narrative techniques, and diverse global voices to understand how current writers respond to contemporary social, political, and technological shifts.

**Difficulty:** Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

**Resources:** 3 books, 4 websites

[Learn Contemporary Literature](/subject/contemporary-literature)

### Drama & Theater

This subject studies plays as both written literature and live performance. Learners will analyze dramatic structure, historical theatrical movements, and staging techniques to understand how scripts are transformed into physical productions and how theater reflects societal values.

**Difficulty:** Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

**Resources:** 3 books, 2 websites

[Learn Drama & Theater](/subject/drama-and-theater)

### Fiction & Novel

This topic examines the forms, history, and techniques of prose narrative. Learners will analyze structural elements like plot, characterization, and point of view to understand how novels and short stories construct meaning and engage readers.

**Difficulty:** Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

**Resources:** 3 books

[Learn Fiction & Novel](/subject/fiction-and-novel)

### Literary Studies

This discipline focuses on the systematic analysis, interpretation, and evaluation of written texts. Learners will apply various methodologies to examine how literature functions, how meaning is constructed, and how texts relate to their historical and cultural contexts.

**Difficulty:** Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

**Resources:** 3 books

[Learn Literary Studies](/subject/literary-studies)

### Literary Theory & Criticism

This field examines the philosophical frameworks used to interpret literature. Learners will analyze major theoretical schools—such as formalism, feminism, and postcolonialism—to understand how different critical lenses alter the reading and evaluation of texts.

**Difficulty:** Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

**Resources:** 2 books, 1 websites

[Learn Literary Theory & Criticism](/subject/literary-theory-and-criticism)

### Literature

This broad field encompasses the study of written works across genres, eras, and cultures. Learners will analyze poetry, prose, and drama to understand how language expresses human experience, historical contexts, and diverse cultural perspectives.

**Difficulty:** Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

**Resources:** 3 books, 2 courses, 4 websites

[Learn Literature](/subject/humanities-literature)

### Postcolonial Literature

This field examines literature produced in regions formerly colonized by European powers. Learners will analyze themes of identity, migration, resistance, and cultural hybridization to understand the ongoing legacy of colonialism and imperialism in global writing.

**Difficulty:** Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

**Resources:** 2 books, 3 websites

[Learn Postcolonial Literature](/subject/postcolonial-literature)

### World Literature

This topic explores global literary traditions from ancient times to the modern era. Learners will study translated works from diverse cultures, analyzing how texts circulate globally and how different societies address universal human themes.

**Difficulty:** Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

**Resources:** 5 books, 3 courses, 5 websites

[Learn World Literature](/subject/world-literature)

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