Plagues, Witches, and War: The Worlds of Historical Fiction (Coursera)

Syllabus

WEEK 1

Course Roadmap

In this module Professor Holsinger poses a working definition of historical fiction and sets expectations for the course content and assignments.

WEEK 2

What is Historical Fiction?

In this module Professor Holsinger details the history of the historical fiction novel through the 18th and 19th centuries.

WEEK 3

Poetry and Exile in Ancient Rome: Jane Alison

In this module author and professor Jane Alison interacts with the seminar class students of Professor Holsinger’s at UVa to discuss her experience writing “The Love Artist.”

WEEK 4

Two Centuries of Historical Fiction

This module reviews the history of historical fiction looking at major works and authors from the 18th and 19th century including The Leatherstocking Tales, William Wells Brown, and Charles Dickens.

WEEK 5

19th Century Historical Fiction

This module dives into the works of Anna Katharine Green and Professor Holsinger provides an overview of the forces that are effecting the craft of historical fiction.

WEEK 6

Seminar with Katherine Howe

In this module author Katherine Howe interacts with the seminar class students of Professor Holsinger’s Historical Fiction class to discuss her book “Deliverance Dane.”

WEEK 7

Seminar with Geraldine Brooks

In this module author Geraldine Brooks interacts with the seminar class students of Professor Holsinger’s Historical Fiction class to discuss her book “Year of Wonders.”

WEEK 8

Seminar with Mary Beth Keane

In this module author Mary Beth Keane interacts with the seminar class students of Professor Holsinger’s Historical Fiction class to discuss her book “Fever.”

WEEK 9

Seminar with Yangsze Choo

In this module author Yangsze Choo interacts with the seminar class students of Professor Holsinger’s Historical Fiction class to discuss her book “The Ghost Bride.”

WEEK 10

Dialogues in Historical Fiction

This module consists of a series of interviews with authors and Professor Holsinger. Authors include: Michael McKeon, Eva Stachniak, David Robbins, Matthew Pearl and Andrew Taylor.

WEEK 11

Assignments and Wrap-Up

This module has the two voluntary assignments for the course: Identifying a Historical Archive and Writing Historical Fiction. The module also contains the closing remarks video of Professor Holsinger.

WEEK 12

Resources

This module includes the course readings, a list of archival resources, and an overview of the authors included in the course.