Brief Introduction
Examine how cultures of the ancient world defined themselves through literature and how their vision of literature contributes to our understanding of civilization, culture, and literature today.Course Summary
Explore the great works of literature from Ancient Greece, Rome, and other cultures in this online course from Harvard. Learn about the themes and techniques used by ancient authors and how they continue to influence modern literature.Key Learning Points
- Discover the masterpieces of ancient literature from around the world
- Gain insight into the themes and techniques used by ancient authors
- Explore how ancient literature continues to influence modern works
Job Positions & Salaries of people who have taken this course might have
- Professor of Literature
- USA: $72,000 - $180,000
- India: INR 6,00,000 - INR 30,00,000
- Spain: €30,000 - €60,000
- Curator of Ancient Literature
- USA: $45,000 - $80,000
- India: INR 3,00,000 - INR 6,00,000
- Spain: €20,000 - €30,000
- Archivist
- USA: $32,000 - $65,000
- India: INR 2,00,000 - INR 4,00,000
- Spain: €18,000 - €24,000
Related Topics for further study
Learning Outcomes
- Gain a deeper understanding of the great works of ancient literature
- Develop critical reading and analytical skills
- Apply insights from ancient literature to modern works
Prerequisites or good to have knowledge before taking this course
- Basic understanding of literary analysis
- Ability to read and comprehend complex texts
Course Difficulty Level
IntermediateCourse Format
- Online
- Self-paced
Similar Courses
- Introduction to World Literature
- Classical Literature
Related Education Paths
- Master of Liberal Arts, Extension Studies, English and American Literature and Language
- Master of Arts in English
Notable People in This Field
- Harold Bloom
- Northrop Frye
Related Books
Description
Course description
This short literature course, based on the first half of the Masterpieces of World Literature edX MOOC, examines how civilizations and cultures of the ancient world defined themselves through literature and how that literature has continued to contribute to our understanding of those civilizations and cultures today.
Cities, nations, and empires from antiquity through the middle ages drew on foundational histories and myths for their identities, relating these narratives through generations by means of oral-storytelling and new writing technologies. These epics, story collections, and novels, which take a keen interest in heroic travelers, would eventually travel themselves, finding new global audiences as the first works of world literature.
Tracing developments in language, writing, and literary genre, this course also travels in time, from legendary accounts of ancient kings to histories of medieval courts and early-modern exploration. We will stop to consider how all of these texts affected the history of their own eras, but also how they have continued to find new prominence and significance in ours.
Knowledge
- 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
Outline
- Introduction: What is World Literature? (Goethe)
- The Birth of Literature (The Epic of Gilgamesh)
- Homer and the Archeology of the Classical Past (The Odyssey)
- West-Eastern Conversations (The 1001 Nights)
- The Floating World (The Tale of Genji)
- The First National Epic (The LusÃads)
Summary of User Reviews
Discover some of the greatest works of literature from ancient times with this course from Harvard. Users have praised the course for its in-depth analysis and engaging lectures.Key Aspect Users Liked About This Course
in-depth analysisPros from User Reviews
- Engaging lectures
- High quality course material
- Great insights into ancient literature
- Good pacing
- Interactive discussion forums
Cons from User Reviews
- Expensive compared to other online courses
- Some technical issues with the platform
- Not enough focus on non-Western literature
- Could be more challenging for advanced learners
- Not enough individual feedback from instructors
Writing With Confidence: Writing Beginner To Writing Pro
- 4.4
-
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
Pro copywriter/Cambridge University writing teacher reveals the secrets for writing blogs and business docs that enthral “This is perhaps the best writing course I've ever taken....
Introduction to Ancient Egypt and Its Civilization
- 4.6
-
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
Colossal pyramids, imposing temples, golden treasures, enigmatic hieroglyphs, powerful pharaohs, strange gods, and mysterious mummies are features of Ancient Egyptian culture that have fascinated people over the millennia....
Wonders of Ancient Egypt
- 4.8
-
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
Colossal pyramids, imposing temples, golden treasures, enigmatic hieroglyphs, powerful pharaohs, strange gods, and mysterious mummies are features of Ancient Egyptian culture that have fascinated people over the millennia....
Masterpieces of World Literature
- 0.0
-
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
Embark on a global journey to explore the past, present, and future of World Literature. No refunds will be issued in the case of corrective action for such violations....
