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

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

Taught in English

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105,163 already enrolled

Course

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals

Bruce Holsinger

Instructor: Bruce Holsinger

4.6

(573 reviews)

Beginner level
No prior experience required
15 hours to complete
3 weeks at 5 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace

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Assessments

3 quizzes

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There are 12 modules in this course

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

What's included

2 videos2 readings

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

What's included

6 videos1 quiz

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.”

What's included

4 videos

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.

What's included

4 videos1 quiz

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.

What's included

5 videos1 quiz

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.”

What's included

4 videos

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.”

What's included

4 videos

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.”

What's included

4 videos

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.”

What's included

4 videos

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.

What's included

5 videos

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.

What's included

1 video1 reading2 peer reviews

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

What's included

3 readings

Instructor

Instructor ratings
4.8 (99 ratings)
Bruce Holsinger
University of Virginia
1 Course105,163 learners

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Recommended if you're interested in History

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Showing 3 of 573

4.6

573 reviews

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    1.21%

MF
4

Reviewed on Aug 29, 2015

MJ
4

Reviewed on Jan 20, 2021

BK
4

Reviewed on Apr 29, 2023

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