Ancient Masterpieces: Explore World Literature's Foundations
Discover how ancient cultures defined themselves through literature and shaped our understanding of civilization in this Harvard course.
Discover how ancient cultures defined themselves through literature and shaped our understanding of civilization in this Harvard course.
Embark on a fascinating journey through the foundations of world literature with Harvard's "Ancient Masterpieces of World Literature" course. This program explores how ancient civilizations defined themselves through their literary works and how these texts continue to influence our understanding of culture and literature today. You'll examine epic tales, mythologies, and early novels that formed the identities of cities, nations, and empires from antiquity through the middle ages. The course traces the evolution of language, writing techniques, and literary genres, from ancient king legends to medieval court histories and early-modern exploration narratives. You'll gain insights into how these texts shaped their own eras and why they remain significant in our time. By analyzing these foundational works, you'll develop critical thinking skills and a deeper appreciation for the global heritage of literature.
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What you'll learn
Understand the early history and development of world literature
Analyze how literary works are transformed by cultural transmission and modern recovery
Develop critical analysis skills for interpreting ancient and classical texts
Explore the significance of major technological advances in writing throughout history
Examine how ancient cultures defined themselves through their literature
Compare and contrast literary works from different cultures and time periods
Skills you'll gain
This course includes:
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Graded assignments, exams
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There are 6 modules in this course
This course offers a comprehensive introduction to ancient masterpieces of world literature. Students will explore how early civilizations used literature to define their cultural identities and how these works continue to shape our understanding of those cultures today. The curriculum covers a wide range of texts, from ancient epics to early modern novels, tracing the development of literary genres, language, and writing technologies. Key works studied include The Epic of Gilgamesh, Homer's Odyssey, The 1001 Nights, The Tale of Genji, and The Lusíads. Through these texts, students will examine themes of heroic journeys, cultural exchange, and national identity. The course emphasizes critical analysis skills, encouraging students to interpret these ancient works in their historical context and understand their ongoing relevance in modern times.
Introduction: What is World Literature? (Goethe)
Module 1
The Birth of Literature ( The Epic of Gilgamesh )
Module 2
Homer and the Archeology of the Classical Past ( The Odyssey )
Module 3
West-Eastern Conversations ( The1001 Nights )
Module 4
The Floating World ( The Tale of Genji )
Module 5
The First National Epic ( The Lusíads )
Module 6
Fee Structure
Instructors
3 Courses
Leading Scholar Revolutionizing World Literature Studies at Harvard
David Damrosch, the Ernest Bernbaum Professor of Comparative Literature at Harvard University and Director of the Institute for World Literature, has fundamentally transformed the field of world literature studies. After completing his education at Yale University (B.A. 1975, Ph.D. 1980), he developed groundbreaking approaches to studying literature across cultures and time periods. His influential works include "What Is World Literature?" (2003), "The Buried Book" (2007), and "Around the World in 80 Books" (2021), which have reshaped how scholars approach global literary studies. Damrosch's exceptional linguistic abilities, including proficiency in German, French, Spanish, Latin, Greek, Nahuatl, Old Norse, Akkadian, and biblical Hebrew, enable him to engage directly with texts across multiple cultures. His scholarly contributions extend beyond research to pedagogy, where he serves as the general editor of the six-volume Longman Anthology of World Literature and has developed innovative courses at Harvard, including "Masterpieces of World Literature" and "Modern Masterpieces of World Literature." In recognition of his outstanding contributions to the field, he was awarded the 2023 Balzan Prize for World Literature, cementing his position as one of the most respected figures in contemporary literary studies
3 Courses
Distinguished Harvard Scholar Revolutionizing World Literature and Cultural Studies
Martin Puchner, the Byron and Anita Wien Professor of Drama and of English and Comparative Literature at Harvard University, has established himself as a transformative figure in literary and cultural studies. After completing his B.A. at Konstanz University in 1992 and Ph.D. at Harvard University in 1998, he has built an extraordinary academic career spanning modernism, drama, literary theory, and world literature. As the founding director of the Mellon School of Theater and Performance Research at Harvard, Puchner has authored numerous influential works, including "Culture: The Story of Us, from Cave Art to K-Pop" (2023), "Literature for a Changing Planet" (2022), and "The Written World" (2017). His scholarly impact is further evidenced by his role as general editor of The Norton Anthology of World Literature and co-editor of The Norton Anthology of Drama. His research interests encompass cultural history, climate change, language, migration, race, and theater performance. Puchner's contributions to academia have earned him prestigious recognitions, including the Guggenheim Fellowship and positions as a Cullman Fellow at the New York Public Library. At Harvard, he teaches cornerstone courses in world literature, including "Masterpieces of World Literature," "Ancient Masterpieces of World Literature," and "Modern Masterpieces of World Literature," while continuing to shape global literary discourse through his innovative research and teaching approaches
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4.8 course rating
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