Life Writing: Writing about the Self and from Experience
COL 227Z
Winter 2026
| 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 Requirement for: (English) |
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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:
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Multiple 1,000 word writing assignments; 5,000 word final paper |
Additional Requirements and/or Comments:
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This course is scheduled to be held in-person. 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. |
| Instructor(s): Barber,Charles Times: .MTWRF. 10:00AM-12:00PM; .MTWRF. 01:00PM-03:00PM; Location: TBA |
| Total Enrollment Limit: 12 | | SR major: 2 | JR major: 2 | | |
| Seats Available: 0 | 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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