Masterpieces of World Literature from edX

This literature course explores how great writers refract their world and how their works are transformed when they intervene in our global cultural landscape today.

No national literature has ever grown up in isolation from the cultures around it; from the earliest periods, great works of literature have probed the tensions, conflicts, and connections among neighboring cultures and often more distant regions as well.

Focusing particularly on works of literature that take the experience of the wider world as their theme, this course will explore the varied artistic modes in which great writers have situated themselves in the world, helping us to understand the deep roots of today's intertwined global cultures.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

The history of world literature
How literary works and books are transformed by cultural transmission

How to critically analyze literary works
The significance of major technological advances in writing

The history of world literature
How literary works and books are transformed by cultural transmission
How to critically analyze literary works
The significance of major technological advances in writing

Syllabus

Texts/authors considered in the course:

Section 1:Goethe and the Birth of World Literature Section 2: The Epic of GilgameshSection 3: Homer, The OdysseySection 4: The 1001 Nights Section 5: Murasaki Shikibu, The Tale of GenjiSection 6: The Lusiads Section 7: Voltaire, Candide Section 8:Lu Xun and Eileen ChangSection 9: Jorge Luis Borges, FiccionesSection 10:Wole Soyinka, Death and the King's HorsemanSection 11:Salman Rushdie and Jhumpa LahiriSection 12: Orhan Pamuk, My Name is Red

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Explores significant technological advances in writing, enhancing understanding of literary evolution

Provides a comprehensive overview of World Literature, including its origins and global influences

Offers insights into the transformation of literary works through cultural transmission, deepening comprehension of diverse perspectives

Develops critical analysis skills for literary works, enabling learners to engage with texts more effectively

Examines renowned literary works from various cultures, expanding learners' exposure to global literature

Taught by esteemed instructors David Damrosch and Martin Puchner, renowned experts in literature

Reviews summary

Enriching world literature course

Learners say this enlightening course offers a great introduction to fundamental works of world literature. Engaging lectures by knowledgeable professors introduce authors and their work before delving into deeper issues. While some learners were disappointed by the limited access to assessments, most found the course enjoyable

Lectures are engaging and feature expert insights.

"Professors Puchner and Damrosch first introduce the context and general sense of the text before delving deeper into the issues it tackles and other specifics."

"I like how the professors feature colleagues, and even the authors themselves (for the more modern works), to the lectures, and I found their insights to be highly valuable and fruitful as well."

Offers thorough introduction to world literature.

"An enlightening tour of world literature with interesting speakers."

"I personally did not know most of the key works featured in the course, but that wasn't a hindrance in the long run."

"Since the course doesn't require one to read the text beforehand, the student can go through the lecture videos without having an idea at all of the material, which I think is a huge plus."

Limited access to assessments for non-paying students.

"However, I do find it disappointing that only the first 2 assessments were accessible for the audit program, and applying for a certificate is too expensive."

"Because of this, I found it a bit hard to retain new information in the succeeding modules, but they were interesting all the same."

Career center

Learners who complete Masterpieces of World Literature will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Literature Professor

This course can deepen your understanding of world literature, which is essential for success as a literature professor. The course covers a wide range of topics in world literature, from the history of world literature to the significance of major technological advances in writing. This knowledge will help you to teach your students about world literature in a more engaging and informed way.

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Writer

This course may be useful for writers who want to learn more about the history of world literature and how literary works are transformed by cultural transmission. This knowledge can help you to write more informed and nuanced works of literature that resonate with readers from all over the world.

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Editor

This course may be useful for editors who want to learn more about the history of world literature and how literary works are transformed by cultural transmission. This knowledge can help you to edit works of literature in a more informed and nuanced way.

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Teacher

This course may be useful for teachers who want to learn more about the history of world literature and how literary works are transformed by cultural transmission. This knowledge can help you to teach your students about world literature in a more engaging and informed way.

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Librarian

This course may be useful for librarians who want to learn more about the history of world literature and how literary works are transformed by cultural transmission. This knowledge can help you to provide better service to your patrons.

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Journalist

This course may be useful for journalists who want to learn more about the history of world literature and how literary works are transformed by cultural transmission. This knowledge can help you to write more informed and nuanced articles that resonate with readers from all over the world.

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Critic

This course may be useful for critics who want to learn more about the history of world literature and how literary works are transformed by cultural transmission. This knowledge can help you to write more informed and nuanced reviews that resonate with readers from all over the world.

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Historian

This course may be useful for historians who want to learn more about the history of world literature and how literary works are transformed by cultural transmission. This knowledge can help you to write more informed and nuanced histories that resonate with readers from all over the world.

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Professor

This course may be useful for professors who want to learn more about the history of world literature and how literary works are transformed by cultural transmission. This knowledge can help you to teach your students about world literature in a more engaging and informed way.

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Researcher

This course may be useful for researchers who want to learn more about the history of world literature and how literary works are transformed by cultural transmission. This knowledge can help you to conduct research on works of literature in a more informed and nuanced way.

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Archivist

This course may be useful for archivists who want to learn more about the history of world literature and how literary works are transformed by cultural transmission. This knowledge can help you to preserve and catalog works of literature in a more informed and nuanced way.

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Translator

This course may be useful for translators who want to learn more about the history of world literature and how literary works are transformed by cultural transmission. This knowledge can help you to translate works of literature in a more informed and nuanced way.

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Curator

This course may be useful for curators who want to learn more about the history of world literature and how literary works are transformed by cultural transmission. This knowledge can help you to curate exhibitions of works of literature in a more informed and nuanced way.

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Dean

This course may be useful for deans who want to learn more about the history of world literature and how literary works are transformed by cultural transmission. This knowledge can help you to lead your department or school in a more informed and nuanced way.

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Provost

This course may be useful for provosts who want to learn more about the history of world literature and how literary works are transformed by cultural transmission. This knowledge can help you to lead your university in a more informed and nuanced way.

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