Year
2021
Units
4.5
Contact
1 x 1-hour lecture weekly
1 x 1-hour tutorial weekly
Prerequisites
9 units of first-year topics
Enrolment not permitted
CREA2141 has been successfully completed
Topic description

The topic will review the history and genres of life writing - from 'lives', confessions, poetry, letters and diaries, through to biography, autobiography, memoir, essays, testimony, art work, photography, websites and social networking.

The themes we will cover include: truth, subjectivity, self, identity, privacy/disclosure, memory, trauma, and the ethical, moral and legal issues surrounding the representation of the self and others in life writing modes. We will explore ways of researching and resourcing life writing projects. Students will explore both the theories and practice of life writing genres, and will be given the option of critical and/or creative life writing pieces for their assessment.

Educational aims

This topic aims to:

  • Develop students' written and oral communication skills and to enhance students' confidence in attempting new forms of address
  • Enhance students' research skills - particularly in relation to using contemporary/new media sources
  • Develop students' abilities to work independently and collaboratively
  • Encourage students to develop a proficiency in using on-line research and writing tools
Expected learning outcomes
On completion of this topic you will be expected to be able to:

  1. Apply their knowledge of theories and methods of life writing
  2. Evaluate the ethical and moral issues affecting life writing genres
  3. Adapt life writing theories, forms and methods to write creatively and/or critically
  4. Evaluate critically a range of primary and secondary sources on life writing