Masterpieces of World Literature

Last updated on May 16, 2022 7:16 pm

---

Introduction

Embark on a global journey to explore the past, present, and future of World Literature. The Masterpieces of World Literature course explores how great writers refract their world and how their works are transformed when they intervene in our global cultural landscape today.

About this course

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.

HarvardX requires individuals who enroll in its courses on edX to abide by the terms of the edX honor code. HarvardX will take appropriate corrective action in response to violations of the edX honor code, which may include dismissal from the HarvardX course; revocation of any certificates received for the HarvardX course; or other remedies as circumstances warrant. No refunds will be issued in the case of corrective action for such violations. Enrollees who are taking HarvardX courses as part of another program will also be governed by the academic policies of those programs.

HarvardX pursues the science of learning. By registering as an online learner in an HX course, you will also participate in research about learning. Read our research statement to learn more.

What you will learn from Masterpieces of World Literature?

• 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

Section 1

• Goethe and the Birth of World Literature

Section 2

•  The Epic of Gilgamesh

Section 3

• Homer, The Odyssey

Section 4

•  The 1001 Nights
  

Section 5

• Murasaki Shikibu, The Tale of Genji

Section 6

• The Lusiads
  

Section 7

• Voltaire, Candide
  

Section 8

• Lu Xun and Eileen Chang

Section 9

• Jorge Luis Borges, Ficciones

Section 10

• Wole Soyinka, Death and the King’s Horseman

Section 11

• Salman Rushdie and Jhumpa Lahiri

Section 12

• Orhan Pamuk, My Name is Red

Note: Your review matters 

If you have already done this course, kindly drop your review in our reviews section. It would help others to get useful information and better insight into the course offered.

FAQ

• About our policies and review criteria.
• How can you choose and compare online courses?
• How to add Courses to your Wishlist?
• You can suggest courses to add to our website.