Known as “the grandfather of African cinema,” Sembène created powerful female characters who challenged Western notions of gender and sexuality.

Poe's 1841 story, arguably the first detective fiction, contains many tropes now considered standard to the genre, including a brilliant, amateur detective.

Are the departed watching over us, and if so, what are they wearing? Victorian spiritualists believed that ghosts could be captured on film.

Letters reveal how language changes. They also offer a peek into the way people--especially women--have always constructed their private and public selves.

Great fiction-writing advice and commiseration from novelists that we dug out of the JSTOR vaults for you procrastinating, er, research pleasure.

Although studying the language known as “Anglo-Saxon” helped women advance in the academy, the subject is fraught with racist associations.

Exploring the David Bowie/Oscar Wilde/French bohemian dandies connection.

Many political and economic elites view liberal arts degrees as frivolous and want college to focus strictly on preparing graduates to make money.