Advanced Nonfiction Workshop: Biography and Profile
ENGL 158
Spring 2009
| Section:
01
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This advanced workshop offers students with prior experience with and understanding of nonfiction writing a chance to read biographies and write biographically. Among other questions we will ask: Where and how does such a portrait begin? What responsibilities does 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? |
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Essential Capabilities:
Writing
Regular in-class discussion of student work and opportunities for revision
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| Credit: 1 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
None |
| Course Format: Discussion | Grading Mode: Graded |
| Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: None |
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Fulfills a Requirement for: (ENGL)(ENGL-Creative W) |
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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
Nell Irvin Painter, SOJOURNER TRUTH
Hilton Als, THE WOMEN
Richard Holmes, FOOTSTEPS
Susan Orlean, THE ORCHID THIEF
Janet Malcolm, THE JOURNALIST AND THE MURDERER
Virginia Woolf, THE NEW BIOGRAPHY
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Examinations and Assignments:
Assignments include short exercises and long profiles, two revisions, and a portfolio of all written work at the end of the semester. |
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 noon on November 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: FISK403; |
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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