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    Literature Courses Online

    Study literature to understand significant works and authors. Learn about literary analysis, genres, and the history of literature.

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    Explore the Literature Course Catalog

    • C

      California Institute of the Arts

      Introduction to Typography

      Skills you'll gain: Typography, Graphic Design, Creative Design, Adobe InDesign, Design, Visual Design, Art History, Design Elements And Principles, Peer Review

      4.8
      Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
      ·
      5.7K reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    • U

      University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

      Modern American Poetry

      Skills you'll gain: Multimedia, Liberal Arts, Social Justice, Lecturing, Music, World History, Creativity, Aesthetics, Writing and Editing

      4.4
      Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
      ·
      104 reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • Status: Free
      Free
      U

      University of London

      Introduction to Who Wrote Shakespeare

      Skills you'll gain: Liberal Arts, Creativity, European History, Writing and Editing, Psychology

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      255 reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    • Status: Free
      Free
      D

      Deep Teaching Solutions

      Learning How to Learn: Powerful mental tools to help you master tough subjects

      Skills you'll gain: Learning Strategies, Lifelong Learning, Time Management, Human Learning, Willingness To Learn, Productivity, Creativity, Problem Solving, Self-Discipline, Stress Management, Self-Awareness

      4.8
      Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
      ·
      92K reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    • Status: Free
      Free
      U

      University of Houston

      The Bilingual Brain

      Skills you'll gain: Language Competency, Language Learning, Human Learning, Non-Verbal Communication, Neurology, Human Development, Psychology, Child Development, Science and Research, Scientific Methods, Experimentation

      4.6
      Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
      ·
      701 reviews

      Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • Status: Free
      Free
      S

      Stanford University

      Love as a Force for Social Justice

      Skills you'll gain: Compassion, Interpersonal Communications, Social Justice, Communication, Empathy, Relationship Building, Liberal Arts, Social Sciences, Community and Social Work, Collaboration, Cultural Diversity, Creativity, Research, Psychology, Ethical Standards And Conduct, Neurology

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      421 reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • Status: Free
      Free
      W

      Wesleyan University

      The Modern and the Postmodern (Part 2)

      Skills you'll gain: Liberal Arts, Culture, European History, World History, Psychology, Political Sciences, Sociology, Social Sciences

      4.8
      Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
      ·
      364 reviews

      Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • O

      O.P. Jindal Global University

      Introduction to Academic Writing

      Skills you'll gain: Writing, Writing and Editing, Research, Journals, Policy Analysis, Research Design, Content Creation

      4.6
      Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
      ·
      125 reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    • Status: Free
      Free
      Y

      Yale University

      Age of Cathedrals

      Skills you'll gain: Art History, European History, Social Studies, Liberal Arts, Architecture and Construction, Culture, World History, Higher Education, Economics, Storytelling, Architectural Design

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      489 reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • W

      Wesleyan University

      Writing in First Person Point of View

      Skills you'll gain: Storytelling, Writing and Editing, Journals, Writing

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      115 reviews

      Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    • Status: Free
      Free
      T

      Tecnológico de Monterrey

      Fundamentos de la escritura

      Skills you'll gain: Grammar, Proofreading, Writing, Literacy, Editing

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      5.5K reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • Status: Free
      Free
      T

      The Chinese University of Hong Kong

      Classics of Chinese Humanities: Guided Readings

      Skills you'll gain: Ancient History, Art History, Aesthetics, Culture, World History, Liberal Arts, Cultural Diversity, Storytelling, Writing

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      53 reviews

      Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months

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    1234…17

    In summary, here are 10 of our most popular literature courses

    • Introduction to Typography: California Institute of the Arts
    • Modern American Poetry: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
    • Introduction to Who Wrote Shakespeare: University of London
    • Learning How to Learn: Powerful mental tools to help you master tough subjects: Deep Teaching Solutions
    • The Bilingual Brain: University of Houston
    • Love as a Force for Social Justice: Stanford University
    • The Modern and the Postmodern (Part 2): Wesleyan University
    • Introduction to Academic Writing: O.P. Jindal Global University
    • Age of Cathedrals: Yale University
    • Writing in First Person Point of View: Wesleyan University

    Frequently Asked Questions about Literature

    Literature is a word-based art form, usually a work of fiction. Works of literature include poems, plays, short stories, novels, and stories that are written down. Some are transcribed from oral tradition while many are original works of writing. Scholars and historians often categorize these works by language, genre, historical period, theme, and region.‎

    There are several advantages to studying literature, notably the way it builds critical thinking skills and increases cultural awareness. Literature is a window into the human experience, allowing readers to visit places and understand events that may be inaccessible through other means. Reading stories and poems also is entertaining and provides a stress-reducing escape from the world around you.‎

    Studying literature changes the way you view the world and yourself. When you read a novel set in another country or depicting customs from other cultures, you may discover similarities between these faraway places and your own neighborhood that help you make sense of cultural differences. A story may spark an interest in a specific topic that can lead to a new hobby or career. Analyzing the way writer’s use words builds your vocabulary and boosts your ability to look for patterns and trends—even outside the context of a story.‎

    The communication and critical thinking skills you develop from studying literature can lead to a variety of career opportunities like a promotion or a job in a different field. Connecting with characters in a story develops empathy, an important skill for anyone who works in a management or supervisory role. Analyzing the use of language in a story can improve your own language and communication skills, which make you a better team member.‎

    Online courses create an opportunity for you to study literature more deeply than you would by reading on your own. Knowing you have deadlines to meet motivates you to make reading a priority and increases the chance that you'll finish the story. You can choose a specific genre or theme to explore in-depth. The coursework of an online class may guide you to see different perspectives and ask questions that you may not otherwise consider.‎

    Online Literature courses offer a convenient and flexible way to enhance your knowledge or learn new Literature skills. Choose from a wide range of Literature courses offered by top universities and industry leaders tailored to various skill levels.‎

    When looking to enhance your workforce's skills in Literature, it's crucial to select a course that aligns with their current abilities and learning objectives. Our Skills Dashboard is an invaluable tool for identifying skill gaps and choosing the most appropriate course for effective upskilling. For a comprehensive understanding of how our courses can benefit your employees, explore the enterprise solutions we offer. Discover more about our tailored programs at Coursera for Business here.‎

    This FAQ content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals.

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