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."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Masterpieces of World Literature with these activities:

Read "The Odyssey" by Homer

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This classic work of literature provides an excellent introduction to the themes and ideas explored in this course.

View The Odyssey on Amazon

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Read the book at your own speed, focusing on the plot, characters, and major themes.
Take notes or highlight passages that you find particularly interesting or important.
Discuss the book with a friend or classmate to gain different perspectives.

Read "The Epic of Gilgamesh"

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This ancient epic provides valuable insights into the origins and development of world literature.

View The Children's Visual World Atlas on Amazon

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Read the epic in its entirety, noting the major events and characters.
Research the historical and cultural context of the epic.
Write a summary of the epic, focusing on its themes and significance.

Analyze Literary Texts

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By analyzing literary texts, you will develop the skills necessary to understand the complexities of the works studied in this course.

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Choose a short story, poem, or excerpt from a novel.
Read the text carefully and identify the main themes, characters, and symbols.
Write a short analysis of the text, explaining your interpretations and supporting your claims with evidence from the text.

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Peer Tutoring

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Peer tutoring is an excellent way to reinforce your understanding of the course material while assisting other students with their learning.

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Identify a fellow student who may benefit from your support.
Schedule regular tutoring sessions to review course material and provide guidance.
Actively listen to your tutee's questions and provide clear and concise explanations.

Write a Blog Post

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Writing a blog post allows you to explore the ideas and concepts presented in this course in a creative and personal way.

Browse courses on Writing

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Choose a topic related to the course material that you are passionate about.
Do some research on your topic to gather information and develop your ideas.
Write a blog post that is well-organized, informative, and engaging.

Attend a Literary Conference

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Attending a literary conference allows you to interact with experts in the field and engage in discussions about the latest trends in world literature.

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Research and identify literary conferences relevant to your interests.
Register for the conference and plan your travel arrangements.
Attend sessions, participate in discussions, and engage with other attendees.

Develop a Lesson Plan

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Creating a lesson plan based on the principles of world literature will enhance your understanding of how to effectively teach these concepts.

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Choose a specific grade level and subject area for your lesson plan.
Develop a learning objective that aligns with the course material.
Design activities and assessments that promote student engagement and critical thinking.

Contribute to a Literature Repository

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Contributing to a literature repository allows you to share your knowledge and resources with the global community while gaining valuable experience in collaboration and documentation.

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Identify an established literature repository that aligns with your interests.
Review the guidelines and submission process for the repository.
Prepare and submit your contribution, ensuring it meets the repository's standards.

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Literature Professor

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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