Coursera Plus Annual is 40% Off — Ends July 13.

Class Central is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

University of Virginia

Plagues, Witches, and War: The Worlds of Historical Fiction

University of Virginia via Coursera

Go to class Write review

Overview

Google, IBM & Meta Certificates – 40% Off
One plan covers every Professional Certificate on Coursera.
Unlock All Certificates
A unique and exciting introduction to the genre and craft of historical fiction, for curious students, aspiring authors--anyone with a passion for the past. Read classics of the genre, encounter bestselling writers of historical fiction, and discover your own historical archive while interacting with a global community of interested readers.

Syllabus

  • Course Roadmap
    • In this module Professor Holsinger poses a working definition of historical fiction and sets expectations for the course content and assignments.
  • What is Historical Fiction?
    • In this module Professor Holsinger details the history of the historical fiction novel through the 18th and 19th centuries.
  • 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.”
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.”
  • 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.”
  • 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.”
  • 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.”
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Resources
    • This module includes the course readings, a list of archival resources, and an overview of the authors included in the course.

Taught by

Bruce Holsinger

Tags

Reviews

4.5 rating, based on 11 Class Central reviews

4.6 rating at Coursera based on 634 ratings

Start your review of Plagues, Witches, and War: The Worlds of Historical Fiction

  • Anonymous
    Prof and UVA go to great lengths to present an exciting, interesting, comprehensive course. Provides an excellent into to the genre, followed by outstanding interviews with first-rate authors. The genre was relatively new to me (previously not a historical fiction reader), so I discovered many wonderful authors. I'm currently reading several and returning to the interviews when I finish. Prof and authors contribute to the forum, too. Outstanding course!
  • Profile image for Deanna
    Deanna
    14
    This was one of the best courses I've taken through Coursera!

    I am a voracious reader, and I love both historical fact and historical fiction. This class got me thinking about historical fiction in a new way. It also introduced me to lots of new authors (as if my to-read list needed to be longer! ha ha)
  • Aana
    81
  • Georgina
    5
  • Alan Salsac
    23
  • Zuvan
  • Profile image for Debbie Brown
    Debbie Brown
    2
  • Profile image for Fábio Medeiros
    Fábio Medeiros
    4
  • Maria Eleonora
    5
  • Wendi Solinger
  • Sriya Veera
    3
Go to class

Never Stop Learning.

Get personalized course recommendations, track subjects and courses with reminders, and more.

Sign up for free
Someone learning on their laptop while sitting on the floor.