Watch Writing and Civilization: From Ancient Worlds to Modernity

Writing and Civilization: From Ancient Worlds to Modernity is a fascinating educational series that explores the history of writing and its evolution from its earliest forms in ancient civilizations to modernity. This informative course is presented by Dr. Marc Zender, a renowned expert in ancient writing systems and languages.

The Great Courses’s Writing and Civilization series consists of a whopping 36 lectures, with each lecture lasting approximately 30 minutes. These lectures are divided into six different sections, each exploring a different era in the history of writing.

In the first section of this series, Dr. Zender takes viewers back to the origins of writing in ancient Sumeria, Egypt, and China. He provides an in-depth look at how early writing systems developed in these civilizations and the various materials that were used for writing during this time. He also explains how these early scripts represented their respective cultures' unique ideas, stories, and beliefs.

The next section of the series explores the development of writing during the classical age of Greece and Rome. In this section, viewers will learn how the ancient Greeks and Romans refined their writing systems, created new scripts, and even used writing as a tool for political power.

The third section of Writing and Civilization focuses on the Middle Ages, a period of immense innovation in the field of writing. During this era, writing transformed from a means of communication to a form of art. Viewers will learn about the rise of illuminated manuscripts, the development of Gothic script, and the importance of writing in religious texts.

The fourth section of the course delves into the Renaissance, where writing became a vehicle for expression and intellectual exploration. Dr. Zender examines the importance of printing technology and its impact on the dissemination of knowledge, as well as the transformation of handwriting into a system of artistic expression.

In the fifth section, titled “Colonialism and Conquest,” the Writing and Civilization series looks at how writing was used as a tool of power and oppression during the Age of Exploration. Dr. Zender discusses the role of writing in colonization and the ways in which it was used to subjugate and dominate populations across the world.

Finally, the course concludes with a look at writing in the modern era. Here, Dr. Zender examines the evolution of writing technologies over the past century, from the rise of typewriters to the current digital age. He also discusses the impact of globalization on writing, language, and communication.

Throughout the series, Dr. Zender engages viewers with thoughtful commentary, fascinating stories, and examples of writing from a wide array of sources. He provides an honest accounting of the history of writing, including its role in colonialism and slavery, while also highlighting its immense impact on human culture and knowledge throughout history.

Overall, Writing and Civilization: From Ancient Worlds to Modernity is an enlightening and comprehensive overview of the history of writing, perfect for anyone interested in language, history, or culture. From the origins of early writing systems to modern digital communication, this series provides an excellent foundation for understanding the vital role writing has played in human history.

Writing and Civilization: From Ancient Worlds to Modernity is a series that ran for 1 seasons (24 episodes) between September 27, 2013 and on The Great Courses