A Courtly History: Romance in the 19th Century

In "A Courtly History: Romance in the 19th Century," Professor Stephanie Insley Hershinow explores the complex rituals and social rules of courtship in 19th-century Britain, providing a detailed historical and cultural context behind the era's romantic conventions. The course examines how formalized practices from letters to wedding vows shaped notions of love and marriage, while also highlighting alternative paths to happiness through notable figures like Jane Austen and Emily Dickinson. Though different from modern dating, the deeply rooted search for love and fulfillment across time remains a timeless human pursuit.