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Master of Biography and Life WritingCourse code: 3075 ~ Course abbreviation: MBiog&LifeWrit ~ Total credit points required: 72 ~ 1.5 years full-time, 3 years part-time ~ Managing faculty: Arts Study mode and course locationOn-campus (Clayton) Course descriptionThis course will explore many of the theoretical and practical issues involved in reading and writing biographies and life stories. It will include practical questions about accessing resources and the ways to utilise and design interviews, and will address many of the ethical, moral and legal questions involved in writing biography and life stories. The course will also offer students an understanding of some of the ways in which psychoanalysis, feminist theory and postcolonial studies have affected the understanding of biography and life writing. Students will explore the history of biography and autobiography and some of the different ways in which biographies have been constructed and written. The use of life stories in history and sociology will also be discussed. The course will involve research and writing a biography or a life story. Course objectivesStudents successfully completing this course will have: 1. a sound knowledge of diverse aspects of the academic discipline; 2. an understanding of the world view of the field of study; 3. a critical appreciation of the secondary literature in the field of study; 4. a familiarity with many of the key texts and cultural products pertaining to the field of study; 5. advanced reading and communication skills, both written and verbal; 6. advanced analytical skills; 7. a grasp of research methodology and ethics, and an ability to undertake a small, independent research project in one of the disciplines represented in the program. Minimum pass gradeTo graduate with the Masters, students must gain a credit (60 C) or above in core units and a minimum credit average overall. Course structureStudents complete 72 points, including three level 4 elective units, a core unit at level 4 or five and a 24-point research project. Note, not all units are available each year. Unless otherwise indicated in the unit outline, all units are taught at Clayton. Course requirementsCore units
Research ProjectStudents complete both Part 1 and Part 2 (24 points in total). They can be completed in separate semesters or both in the same semester.
Level 4 electives
Exit pointsStudents may be offered an exit award of a Graduate Certificate of Arts after successful completion of 24 points, or a Graduate Diploma in Biography and Life Writing after successful completion of 48 points. Course coordinatorProfessor Barbara Caine |