Global Masterpieces: Journey Through World Literature
Explore the evolution and impact of world literature from ancient epics to modern novels in this comprehensive course.
Explore the evolution and impact of world literature from ancient epics to modern novels in this comprehensive course.
Embark on a literary journey spanning centuries and continents with Harvard's Masterpieces of World Literature course. This comprehensive exploration delves into how great writers capture their world and how their works continue to shape our global cultural landscape. From ancient epics to modern novels, you'll examine how literature reflects and refracts cultural tensions, conflicts, and connections. The course emphasizes works that engage with global themes, offering insights into the interconnectedness of world cultures throughout history. You'll develop critical analysis skills, understand the impact of technological advances on writing, and gain a deeper appreciation for the transformative power of literature in our increasingly globalized world.
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What you'll learn
Understand the historical development of world literature
Analyze how cultural transmission transforms literary works
Develop critical skills for interpreting diverse literary texts
Explore the impact of technological advances on writing and literature
Examine the role of literature in shaping global cultural landscapes
Compare literary techniques and themes across different cultures and periods
Skills you'll gain
This course includes:
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Graded assignments, exams
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Limited Access access
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There are 12 modules in this course
This course offers a comprehensive exploration of world literature, spanning from ancient epics to contemporary novels. Students will study the evolution of literary forms and themes across different cultures and historical periods. The curriculum covers major works such as The Epic of Gilgamesh, Homer's Odyssey, The Tale of Genji, and modern classics by authors like Jorge Luis Borges and Salman Rushdie. Through these texts, students will examine how literature reflects and shapes cultural identities, addresses universal human experiences, and responds to global changes. The course emphasizes critical analysis skills, encouraging students to interpret texts within their historical and cultural contexts. Additionally, it explores the impact of technological advancements on writing and the dissemination of literature. By the end of the course, students will have gained a broad understanding of world literature and its significance in our interconnected global culture.
Goethe and the Birth of World Literature
Module 1
The Epic of Gilgamesh
Module 2
Homer, The Odyssey
Module 3
The 1001 Nights
Module 4
Murasaki Shikibu, The Tale of Genji
Module 5
The Lusiads
Module 6
Voltaire, Candide
Module 7
Lu Xun and Eileen Chang
Module 8
Jorge Luis Borges, Ficciones
Module 9
Wole Soyinka, Death and the King's Horseman
Module 10
Salman Rushdie and Jhumpa Lahiri
Module 11
Orhan Pamuk, My Name is Red
Module 12
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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4.7 course rating
48 ratings
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