Recently, I let you know about some college courses on the writings of Mark Twain. Today, I have another freebie from that same college. Hillsdale College created a series of lectures on Jane Austen. This series of college-level lectures focuses on “the young Jane Austen,” specifically on the time period surrounding the writing of her novel, Northanger Abbey.
Jane Austen was born into a family of, as she called it “great novel readers.” Her father had a large library, her mother liked to write poems, and her brothers held plays for their friends and neighbors to enjoy. The entire family liked to read. So although Jane Austen was young when she wrote Northanger Abbey, it is not surprising that though her education did not include the “higher education” that is available to today’s aspiring authors, she was able to write well. Encourage your kids to read good books!
How to View this Free College Course on Jane Austen:
Visit Hillsdale College’s page, The Young Jane Austen: Northanger Abbey .
The Young Jane Austen lecture series has 6 parts, each around 30 minutes long, not including the separate Q&A videos that follow the lectures.
There is a Final Quiz, which is self-guided and self-graded. Though you may view the lectures for free without registration, you’ll need to register to take the quiz.
Hillsdale College also has other free college history courses. And here is a list of their full course catalog of online classes.
[…] Like this freebie? Here’s a free college course on the writings of Jane Austen. Also, check out these free college history courses , also from Hillsdale College […]