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Plagues, Witches, War: Worlds of Historical Fiction

Explore historical fiction: Learn from bestselling authors, study classics, and discover your own historical archive in this unique course.

Explore historical fiction: Learn from bestselling authors, study classics, and discover your own historical archive in this unique course.

This course offers a unique and exciting introduction to the genre and craft of historical fiction. Led by Professor Bruce Holsinger, it provides a comprehensive exploration of historical fiction's evolution, from its 18th-century origins to contemporary bestsellers. Students will read classics of the genre, engage with renowned authors, and discover their own historical archives. The course covers key aspects of historical fiction writing, including research techniques, character development, and balancing historical accuracy with narrative creativity. Through author seminars and dialogues, students gain insights into the writing process from successful historical fiction writers. The course also encourages hands-on learning with assignments on identifying historical archives and creating original historical fiction pieces.

4.6

(589 ratings)

1,07,517 already enrolled

Instructors:

English

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Plagues, Witches, War: Worlds of Historical Fiction

This course includes

15 Hours

Of Self-paced video lessons

Beginner Level

Completion Certificate

awarded on course completion

2,435

What you'll learn

  • Understand the origins and evolution of historical fiction as a literary genre

  • Analyze key works of historical fiction from the 18th century to the present

  • Explore techniques for balancing historical accuracy with creative storytelling

  • Learn research methods for identifying and utilizing historical archives

  • Gain insights from bestselling authors on writing historical fiction

  • Develop skills in creating authentic historical settings and characters

Skills you'll gain

historical fiction
creative writing
literary analysis
historical research
genre fiction
author studies

This course includes:

3.2 Hours PreRecorded video

3 assignments

Access on Mobile, Tablet, Desktop

FullTime access

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There are 12 modules in this course

This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the genre and craft of historical fiction. Led by Professor Bruce Holsinger, it traces the evolution of historical fiction from its 18th-century roots to contemporary bestsellers. Students will explore key works and authors that shaped the genre, including Sir Walter Scott, Charles Dickens, and modern Latin American historical novelists. The course features seminars and dialogues with acclaimed historical fiction authors, offering insights into research methods, character development, and the challenges of blending historical fact with creative narrative. Participants will learn to identify historical archives and develop their own historical fiction writing skills through practical assignments. The course covers various subgenres and approaches to historical fiction, examining how authors tackle different historical periods and themes.

Course Roadmap

Module 1 · 41 Minutes to complete

What is Historical Fiction?

Module 2 · 1 Hours to complete

Poetry and Exile in Ancient Rome: Jane Alison

Module 3 · 1 Hours to complete

Two Centuries of Historical Fiction

Module 4 · 1 Hours to complete

19th Century Historical Fiction

Module 5 · 1 Hours to complete

Seminar with Katherine Howe

Module 6 · 1 Hours to complete

Seminar with Geraldine Brooks

Module 7 · 1 Hours to complete

Seminar with Mary Beth Keane

Module 8 · 59 Minutes to complete

Seminar with Yangsze Choo

Module 9 · 50 Minutes to complete

Dialogues in Historical Fiction

Module 10 · 1 Hours to complete

Assignments and Wrap-Up

Module 11 · 2 Hours to complete

Resources

Module 12 · 30 Minutes to complete

Fee Structure

Payment options

Financial Aid

Instructor

Bruce Holsinger
Bruce Holsinger

4.8 rating

105 Reviews

1,07,439 Students

1 Course

Scholar of Medieval Culture and Historical Fiction

Bruce Holsinger is a professor in the Department of English at the University of Virginia, known for his historical novel A Burnable Book, set in London in 1385, which is forthcoming from HarperCollins and William Morrow. He has authored or edited six nonfiction books, including Music, Body, and Desire in Medieval Culture, which received significant accolades. Holsinger's research explores the enduring influence of the Middle Ages on modern thought, encompassing topics such as postwar French intellectual history and the political rhetoric surrounding the War on Terror. He is currently working on a book titled Archive of the Animal, which examines Shakespeare's reflections on parchment and its role in medieval literature preservation. A trained classical clarinetist, Holsinger holds a Ph.D. in English and Comparative Literature from Columbia University and previously taught at the University of Colorado in Boulder.

Plagues, Witches, War: Worlds of Historical Fiction

This course includes

15 Hours

Of Self-paced video lessons

Beginner Level

Completion Certificate

awarded on course completion

2,435

Testimonials

Testimonials and success stories are a testament to the quality of this program and its impact on your career and learning journey. Be the first to help others make an informed decision by sharing your review of the course.

4.6 course rating

589 ratings

Frequently asked questions

Below are some of the most commonly asked questions about this course. We aim to provide clear and concise answers to help you better understand the course content, structure, and any other relevant information. If you have any additional questions or if your question is not listed here, please don't hesitate to reach out to our support team for further assistance.