Advanced Nonfiction Workshop: Biography and Profile
ENGL 158
Spring 2008
| Section:
01
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This advanced workshop offers students with some prior experience with and understanding of nonfiction writing a chance to read biographies and write biographically. Among other questions, we will be asking: Where and how does such a portrait begin? What responsibilities does a commitment to representing that life involve? What constitutes evidence about someone else's life? What kinds of research are necessary? How does, and to what extent should, the writer's relationship to his or her subject inform the portrait? You will choose subjects, develop and use sources. |
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Essential Capabilities:
Writing |
| Credit: 1 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
None |
| Course Format: Discussion | Grading Mode: Student Option |
| Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: None |
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Fulfills a Requirement for: None |
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Past Enrollment Probability: Not Available |
| SECTION 01 |
Major Readings: Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
We will consider the history, theory, and practice of biography in texts that may include:
Lytton Strachey, EMINENT VICTORIANS
Gertrude Stein, THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF ALICE B. TOKLAS
Suzannah Lessard, THE ARCHITECT OF DESIRE
Julia Blackburn, DAISY BATES IN THE DESERT
Hilton Als, THE WOMEN
Samuel Johnson, AN ACCOUNT OF THE LIFE OF MR. RICHARD SAVAGE, SON OF THE EARL OF RIVERS
Richard Holmes, FOOTSTEPS
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Examinations and Assignments:
Assignments include three profiles (two short essays and one of 3500-4000 words), a number of exercises, and a portfolio of all written work at the end of the semester. Students must provide copies of their essays to the professor and to their classmates in advance of class discussion. |
Additional Requirements and/or Comments:
This course is a workshop: Attendance at and participation in every class are required. To apply to this course please submit 5-8 double-spaced pages of creative nonfiction. Please also submit a cover page in two parts: 1) your name, email address, year in school, major, some of your favorite writers, and any other influences, and 2) a short biographical statement (a paragraph or two) describing your history with and interest in nonfiction writing. Submissions (hard copies, not emails or faxes) are due by 4:00 pm on Nov. 13 to the Secretary, Department of English, 294 High Street. You may not take this course and another writing course concurrently, with the exception of a senior thesis tutorial. |
| Instructor(s): Cohen,Lisa Times: ..T.... 01:10PM-04:00PM; Location: CRT285; |
Permission of Instructor Required
Enrollment capacity: 12 | Permission of instructor will be granted during the drop/add period. Students must submit either a ranked or unranked drop/add request for this course. |
| 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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