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Historical fiction is a popular window into the American past. But does it illuminate or distort our understanding of modern history? Does the quality of a novel reflect how closely the author conforms to the historical record or how greatly he or she transcends it? Do certain genres of historical fiction, such as war novels, capture the essence of events in ways that nonfiction accounts cannot? These are among the issues that this seminar will explore. It is open to all students and assumes no substantial prior knowledge of modern American history, but emphasizes reading and discussion at an advanced level.