Life Writing: Writing about the Self and from Experience
COL 227Z
Winter 2023
| Section:
01
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| This course may be repeated for credit. |
| Crosslisting:
ENGL 228Z, WRCT 227Z |
This course will examine both the power and the complexities of writing that derives from personal experience. Topics to be addressed, in turn, are memory (and its reliability); experience (authoritative/reportorial vs. interpretative/symbolic); identity and voice of the narrator; and agency (the degree to which the narrator is in control, or not in control, of the narrative). Types of life writing that will be explored are coming-of-age narratives, illness and trauma narratives, confessional narratives, autobiographical poetry and song lyrics, and interviews/oral histories. Readings and materials include William Styron, Mary Karr, Ta-Nehisi Coates, Malcolm X, Donna Tartt, and others. |
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| Credit: 1 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
HA COL |
| Course Format: Seminar | Grading Mode: Student Option |
| Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: None |
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Fulfills a Major Requirement for: None |
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Past Enrollment Probability: Not Available |
| SECTION 01 |
Major Readings: Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
Malcolm X and Alex Haley, THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MALCOLM X; Mary Karr, CHERRY; William Styron, DARKNESS VISIBLE; Ta-Nehisi Coates, BETWEEN THE WORLD AND ME; George Plimpton and Jean Stein, EDIE: AMERICAN GIRL
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Examinations and Assignments:
Multiple 1,000 word writing assignments; 5,000 word final paper |
Additional Requirements and/or Comments:
THIS COURSE IS SCHEDULED TO BE HELD IN PERSON. In-person courses may be moved online due to the pandemic. All Winter Session students should expect some readings and assignments to be due during winter break, prior to the beginning of Winter Session class meetings. Syllabi for Winter Session courses will be posted to https://www.wesleyan.edu/wintersession/courses.html as soon as they are available. |
| Instructor(s): Barber,Charles Times: .MTWRF. 10:30AM-03:00PM; Location: BOGH115; |
| Total Enrollment Limit: 12 | | SR major: 2 | JR major: 2 | | |
| Seats Available: 3 | GRAD: X | SR non-major: 2 | JR non-major: 2 | SO: 2 | FR: 2 |
| Drop/Add Enrollment Requests | | | | | |
| Total Submitted Requests: 0 | 1st Ranked: 0 | 2nd Ranked: 0 | 3rd Ranked: 0 | 4th Ranked: 0 | Unranked: 0 |
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