Ancient Masterpieces of World Literature
This brief literature course, based on the first half of the edX MOOC Masterpieces of World Writing, looks at how ancient civilizations and cultures defined themselves through literature, and how that literature has contributed to the knowledge of those civilizations and cultures today.
From antiquity until the Middle Ages, cities, countries, and empires relied on fundamental histories and myths to define their identities, passing these narratives down through generations through oral storytelling and new writing technologies. These epics, tale collections, and novels, which take a strong interest in heroic journeys, would eventually travel as the first works of world literature, finding new worldwide audiences.
This course journeys through time, from mythical narratives of ancient rulers through the history of medieval courts and early-modern explorers, tracing advancements in language, writing, and literary form. We'll pause to analyze how each of these writings influenced the history of their respective times, as well as how they've gained fresh importance and relevance in ours.
What you'll learn:
- The Early History of World Literature
- How literary works are transformed by cultural transmission and modern recovery
- How to Critically Analyze Literary Works
- The significance of major technological advances in writing
Duration: Estimated 6 weeks (3–6 hours per week)
Fee: Free (Optional upgrade available)
Self-paced: Progress at your own speed
Enroll here: https://www.edx.org/course/ancient-masterpieces-of-world-literature
