Registration for this course is closed. Writing is a remarkable invention, a technology that captures language in a form that can be preserved and transmitted over space and time. Writing developed independently in several parts of the world. This course will examine how it may have arisen and evolved. Insights about the sound systems of languages led to alphabets and syllabaries, while other forms of writing, such as Chinese characters, retain distinct symbols for individual words. We’ll take on the myth that Chinese characters represent ideas or concepts, independent of the language. We’ll also look at the intriguing stories of how some ancient scripts—Egyptian hieroglyphics, Linear B, and Mayan writing—have been deciphered. Lastly, we’ll examine technologies related to writing, such as printing and electronic devices, and consider some of the social and political aspects of writing. Course sessions will include weekly lectures with opportunities for discussion.