HYM4280

Reading and Writing Biography and Life Stories (12 points)

(ARTS)

Leader: Barbara Caine

Offered:
Clayton Second semester 2004 (Day)
Clayton Second semester 2005 (Day)

Synopsis:

Objectives: Upon successful completion of this unit students will be expected to: 1. Have a sophisticated understanding of the different forms of writing biographies and life stories and of the importance of particular genres within this field. 2. Demonstrate an understanding of the ways in which new fields such as psychoanalysis, feminism and gender studies and postcolonialism have affected the writing of life stories and biography. 3. Be acquainted with some of the recent debates about the relationship between fiction and biography. 4. Have developed advanced skills in written and oral communication. 5. Have developed skills in working as a group. 6. Have developed skills in using new technology.

Assessment: Seminar presentation and paper (2,000 words): 20% + Group seminar presentation and paper (1000 words): 20% + Essay analysing the changing forms of biographical writing from the mid 19th century to the present and critically assessing the merits and the problems of different forms (5-6,000 words): 50% + General seminar performance: 10%

Contact Hours: 2 hours per week