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.
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
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2 videos•Total 21 minutes
Professor Holsinger Provides an overview of "Plagues, Witches, and War"•13 minutes
How to Get the Most out of this Course•8 minutes
2 readings•Total 20 minutes
How to Use Discussion Forums•10 minutes
Get to Know Your Classmates•10 minutes
What is Historical Fiction?
Module 2•2 hours to complete
Module details
In this module Professor Holsinger details the history of the historical fiction novel through the 18th and 19th centuries.
What's included
6 videos1 assignment
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6 videos•Total 82 minutes
Defining the Genre•12 minutes
The Pre-History of Historical Fiction•13 minutes
From Archive to Novel•13 minutes
Differentiating fiction and history in the 18th and 19th century•10 minutes
A look at Sir Walter Scott and work of the 18th century•13 minutes
The global reach of the historical fiction genre•21 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
What Is Historical Fiction?•30 minutes
Poetry and Exile in Ancient Rome: Jane Alison
Module 3•1 hour to complete
Module details
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
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4 videos•Total 78 minutes
Introduction of Jane Alison •18 minutes
Using characters to set the set the historical context•21 minutes
An indepth look at the characters and story•19 minutes
Some challenges in historical fiction writing•20 minutes
Two Centuries of Historical Fiction
Module 4•2 hours to complete
Module details
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 assignment
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4 videos•Total 60 minutes
Cooper's Leatherstocking Tales: Fiction on the Frontier•14 minutes
Brown's "Clotel": Slavery, Fiction, and a Founding Father•14 minutes
Dickens and the French Revolution: "A Tale of Two Cities"•16 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
Two Centuries of Historical Fiction •30 minutes
19th Century Historical Fiction
Module 5•2 hours to complete
Module details
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 assignment
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5 videos•Total 65 minutes
Anna Katharine Green and the Invention of the Historical Mystery Pt. I•10 minutes
Anna Katharine Green and the Invention of the Historical Mystery Pt. II•8 minutes
Modernism, Metafiction, and the Mass Market, 1920-1980 •18 minutes
The New Historical Novel in Latin America Pt. I•15 minutes
The New Historical Novel in Latin America Pt. II•15 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
19th Century Historical Fiction•30 minutes
Seminar with Katherine Howe
Module 6•1 hour to complete
Module details
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
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4 videos•Total 75 minutes
Professor Holsinger introduces Katherine Howe•20 minutes
Katherine Howe dives into her characters and their historical traits•16 minutes
Katherine Howe session wrap up•20 minutes
Seminar with Geraldine Brooks
Module 7•1 hour to complete
Module details
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
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4 videos•Total 68 minutes
Professor Holsinger introduces Geraldine Brooks•16 minutes
Geraldine Brooks discusses the balance of the research and the evolution of the story•17 minutes
Geraldine Brooks discusses the evolution of the characters and story•17 minutes
Geraldine Brooks session wrap up•18 minutes
Seminar with Mary Beth Keane
Module 8•1 hour to complete
Module details
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
Show info about module content
4 videos•Total 59 minutes
Professor Holsinger introduces Mary Beth Keane•16 minutes
Mary Beth Keane discusses the evolution of characters•14 minutes
Mary Beth Keane discusses integrating historical features •14 minutes
Mary Beth Keane session wrap up•15 minutes
Seminar with Yangsze Choo
Module 9•1 hour to complete
Module details
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
Show info about module content
4 videos•Total 51 minutes
Professor Holsinger introduces Yangsze Choo•12 minutes
Yangsze Choo discusses selecting the point of view for your characters•11 minutes
Yangsze Choo discusses the idea of parallel worlds and making decisions about the direction of your story•14 minutes
Yangsze Choo session wrap up•13 minutes
Dialogues in Historical Fiction
Module 10•1 hour to complete
Module details
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
Show info about module content
5 videos•Total 83 minutes
Michael McKeon and Bruce Holsinger discuss what it meant to be writing historical fiction in the 18th century•15 minutes
Eva Stachniak and Bruce Holsinger discuss the context of historical fiction in their writing•18 minutes
David Robbins and Bruce Holsinger discuss revealing characters through historical events•16 minutes
Matthew Pearl and Bruce Holsinger discussing writing within the genre of historical fiction•19 minutes
Andrew Taylor and Bruce Holsinger discussing writing in relation to the history of historical fiction•14 minutes
Assignments and Wrap-Up
Module 11•2 hours to complete
Module details
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.
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4.6
633 reviews
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19.71%
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K
KS
5·
Reviewed on May 24, 2025
This was the most interesting online course I have ever taken. It was a wealth of knowledge and I look forward to going over the syllabus and course notes, and reading the works of the authors.
B
BK
4·
Reviewed on Apr 29, 2023
I loved listening to all of the experienced authors but I wish there were assignments to go with the videos, or at least a test at the end of each week.
N
NC
5·
Reviewed on Mar 22, 2021
I learned so very much in this course. The seminars with authors are a highlight and book recommendations are great if you like the genre.
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