Fall Curriculum: Jane Austen Edition

Janeites, class is in session. Not in the way you think—don't panic!

If you find yourself wanting to learn new subjects like you did as a student, without the pressure of grades and structure, the "Fall Curriculum" trend may be for you. Even better, if you're looking into exploring more Austen this season, I'm here to offer a Janeite twist on the trend.

The "Fall Curriculum" trend is inspired by Elizabeth Jean (@xparmesanprincessx) on TikTok. The premise of the trend is to learn in a fun and flexible way by designing a curriculum tailored to your interests and learning styles. In Elizabeth Jean's video post on TikTok, she clarifies that building a fall curriculum is "for fun," and that learning is "playful" and "intuitive." Essentially, look inwards. What sounds exciting to you? For example, Elizabeth Jean, feeling nostalgic about Y2K culture, "assigned" Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen movies to watch. Another trend participant, @Realvintagedollshouse on YouTube, designs a unit on knitting and offers insight into building a curriculum, outlining subjects, seasonal goals, and assignments.

Not sure what topic to pick for your curriculum? Elizabeth Jean encourages participants of the trend to "set the tone for the month" by asking reflective questions, such as "what's something I used to really enjoy that I haven't done in a really long time?" and "what would be helpful for my personal growth?"

Well, Janeites, I don't know about you, but this season I am feeling especially nostalgic, and have been thinking about my younger self experiencing Jane Austen for the first time. I'm eager to revisit the childlike excitement and passion I had as a young girl, without the pressure of inflexible deadlines and an impending grade. Enter: The Fall Curriculum, Jane Austen edition.

This November, I've outlined a curriculum titled "Introduction to Jane Austen and the Regency," which is designed to revisit the basics: the Regency Era, an overview of Jane Austen's life and works, and how Austen engaged with Regency culture. If you are new to Austen, this curriculum is a great way to get introduced; if you are a longtime Janeite, let's go back to the beginning. This curriculum is for everyone—no matter the knowledge you possess of Austen.

Even better, this curriculum is customizable. Swap in and out books, materials, sources, etc.; follow your intuition and interests. However, if you're unsure on how to get started, I'm here to help. For my curriculum, I am using resources and materials from the Jane Austen & Co. site, as well as Jane Austen's Desk.

Engraving of Jane Austen by William Home Lizars (1869), provided by the Jane Austen Society of North America (JASNA).

Unit: Introduction to Jane Austen and the Regency

The Subjects Covered this November:

• The Regency Period

• How Jane engaged with the Regency Period

• An overview of Jane Austen's life and works

Materials and Sources to Choose from:

The Regency Period and Jane

Music and the Regency — Jane Austen and Co. has a two-part collection of recorded web events about music in the Regency and Austen. (PT. I Spring 2025, PT. II Happening Now on the Jane Austen & Co. site!)

Upcoming Lectures (you can register now)

• "Jane Austen, Home and Away with Jeanice Brooks" | Register here

• "A Song for Jane with Penelope Appleyard and Jonathan Delbridge" | Register here

Recorded Events

• Frivolity, Foppery, and the English Gentleman at Music with Lidia Chang

• From Air to Arrangement: The Evolution of Keyboard Music in Austen’s Era with Laura Klein

• Women and Musical Education in the Regency Era with Kathryn Libin

• Jane Austen’s Musical Life with Gillian Dooley

• Georgian Fangirls: Women, Castrati, and Gender in Late 18th Century London with Jeffrey Nigro

Everyday Science in the Regency: Jane Austen and Co.'s "'Everyday Science in the Regency' offers insight into the science that undergirded every-day tasks in the Regency, such as time telling, home cures, sea bathing, silk production, and maritime travel.' Explore these recorded talks.

• Botanical Women with Katie Childs

• The Questionable Comforts of Home Cures with Julienne Gehrer

• Jane Austen and the Science of Seabathing

• Time and the Heavens in Regency Life with Chris Clemens

• Portrait of a Woman in Silk: London Designer Anna Marie Garthwaite with Zara Anishanslin

Domesticity and Staying Home with Jane Austen: Jane Austen and Co.'s "'Staying Home with Jane Austen' explores domestic life, labor, and practices during the Regency, including dress, music, embroidery, gardening, and gaming." Explore these recorded talks.

• Gardening with Jane Austen featuring author Kim Wilson

• Playing Games With Jane Austen with mathematician and author Jo Ann Staples

• Reading With Jane Austen featuring Susan Allen Ford

• Crafting With Jane Austen featuring historian Jennie Batchelor

• Dressing With Jane Austen featuring dress historian Hilary Davidson

• Eating With Austen featuring food historian KC Hysmith

An Overview of Jane Austen's Life and Writings

A snapshot of the "Jane Austen's Desk" website.

• On the site Jane Austen’s Desk, when you interact with the features of Austen's digitized room, you can learn about:

  • The Austen Family Genealogy

  • Jane Austen's Writings

    • Pride & Prejudice (read vols. I, II, and III)

    • Mansfield Park (read vols. I, II, and III)

  • What Jane Austen was Reading

  • Austen Family Travels

Wow, that's a lot of material—don't be overwhelmed! Remember, your personal curriculum is tailored to you; keep your heart, passions, and interests at the forefront of your unit. Engage in sources that catch your eye and intrigue your Janeite brain. At the end of the day, I'm not here to grade the progress you make this November. However, if you're embarking on this Austen 101 journey with me, feel free to chat in the comments. I want to hear about your curriculums! 🍂 📖