Free English Literature Courses
You can broaden your mind or prepare for your academic future with this list of free English literature courses.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
MIT's OCW has several interesting English courses. Literature and Ethical Values introduces readers to classical works, while Major English Novels spotlights the best of the best in English literature.
- Literary Studies: The Legacy of England
- Introduction to Literary Theory
- Literature and Ethical Values
- Major English Novels
- Reading Romantic Fiction
- Writing About Literature
- Writing and Reading Short Stories
The Open University
The Open University's library of literature courses is quite expansive. To get your nose in a book, try Reading English Literature, while there is also an Start Writing Fiction course for students who have had enough of reading books and want to write them instead.
- Exploring the English Language
- English Grammar in Context
- Reading English Literature
- Approaching Poetry
- Approaching Prose Fiction
- Approaching Plays
- Writing What You Know
- Start Writing Fiction
University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley)
UC Berkeley has posted audio lectures online from their popular Shakespeare course. Grab a copy of Shakespeare's works and read along, with plenty of background information and critical analysis.
Utah State University (USU)
USU's Introduction to Writing prepares students to create academic prose.
Free Online English Literature Courses at a Glance
| Course & School | Program Level | Format | Assignments | Quizzes & Exams | Downloadable |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Literary Studies: The Legacy of England course from MIT | Undergraduate | External Reading Resources | Yes | No | Yes |
| Introduction to Literary Theory course from MIT | Undergraduate | External Reading Resources | Yes | No | Yes |
| Literature and Ethical Values course from MIT | Undergraduate | External Reading Resources | Yes | No | Yes |
| Major English Novels course from MIT | Undergraduate | External Reading Resources | Yes | No | Yes |
| Major English Novels: Reading Romantic Fiction course from MIT | Undergraduate | External Reading Resources | Yes | No | Yes |
| Writing About Literature course from MIT | Undergraduate | External Reading Resources | Yes | No | Yes |
| Writing and Reading Short Stories course from MIT | Undergraduate | Text Lessons | Yes | No | Yes |
| Exploring the English Language course from Open University | Intermediate | Text Lessons/Video | Yes | No | Yes |
| English Grammar in Context course from Open University | Advanced | Text Lessons/Video | Yes | No | Yes |
| Reading course from Open University | Beginner | Text Lessons | Yes | No | Yes |
| Approaching Poetry course from Open University | Intermediate | Text Lessons | Yes | No | Yes |
| Approaching Prose Fiction course from Open University | Intermediate | Text Lessons | Yes | No | Yes |
| Approaching Plays course from Open University | Intermediate | Text Lessons | Yes | No | Yes |
| Writing What You Know course from Open University | Beginner | Audio/Text Lessons | Yes | No | Yes |
| Start Writing Fiction course from Open University | Beginner | Audio/Text Lessons | Yes | No | Yes |
| Shakespeare course from UC Berkeley | Undergraduate | Audio Lectures | No | No | Yes |
| Introduction to Writing: Academic Prose course from USU | Undergraduate | External Reading Resources | Yes | No | No |
