Arthur Bahr named head of MIT’s Literature Section
A faculty member since 2007, the scholar of medieval literature explores how different parts of physical manuscripts combine to create interest and meaning.
Department
Literature
Building a scholarly community
The SHASS Faculty Fellows Program, administered by the MIT Human Insight Collaborative, is fostering new research projects and creating space for supportive and interdisciplinary discussion.
“We the People” depicts inventors, dreamers, and innovators in all 50 states
For the 250th anniversary of the US, Joshua Bennett’s epic poem set celebrates unexpected lives forged across the nation.
Times Higher Education ranks MIT No. 1 in arts and humanities, business and economics, and social sciences for 2026
Top worldwide honors span disciplines across three MIT schools for the second year in a row.
Young and gifted
Joshua Bennett’s new book profiles American prodigies, examining the personal and social dimensions of cultivating promise.
Q&A: How folk ballads explain the world
Ruth Perry’s new book profiles Anna Gordon, a Scotswoman who preserved and transmitted precious popular ballads, and with them national traditions.
An adaptable evaluation of justice and interest groups
Bruno Perreau’s latest book, “Spheres of Injustice,” updates classic thought about rights and legal standing in a complex society.
SHASS announces appointments of new program and section heads for 2025-26
Sandy Alexandre, Manduhai Buyandelger, and Eden Medina take on new leadership positions.
School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences welcomes 14 new faculty for 2025
New professors join Comparative Media Studies/Writing, History, Linguistics and Philosophy, Music and Theater Arts, and Political Science.
Processing our technological angst through humor
Associate Professor Benjamin Mangrum’s new book explores how we use comedy to cope with the growth of computer technology in modern life.
Decoding a medieval mystery manuscript
Using tech tools and a human touch, Arthur Bahr sheds light on the original volume containing “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight” and “Pearl.”
Times Higher Education ranks MIT No. 1 in arts and humanities, business and economics, and social sciences
Worldwide honors for 2025 span disciplines across three schools.
MIT Human Insight Collaborative launches SHASS Faculty Fellows program
The new initiative will allow selected faculty to focus on their research, build community, and pursue mentorship opportunities.
Cynthia Griffin Wolff, acclaimed biographer and longtime MIT professor, dies at 87
The scholar’s body of work included two literary biographies of great American writers.
The study and practice of being human
Professor Joshua Bennett’s scholarship, poetry, and teaching help students address core questions about values and meaning in life.