15-WM202-OG-11
"Introduction to life writing":
The aim of the lectures is to introduce students to the genre of life-writing in general (including elements of life-writing theory) and Canadian life-writing in particular. We will start with an attempt at determining what life-writing is, and how it can possibly be defined; and defining its interfaces with other literary genres. Later, we will discuss a selection of life-writing texts (autobiographies, memoirs, biographies, personal essays, travel writing, letters etc.) written by Canadian authors between 18th and 21st c. We will consider a variety of issues such as the link between life-writing and gender and sexuality; the intercultural and multicultural dimensions of the texts, especially in the Canadian context; the role of visual elements, reproduced documents and typography in life writing, etc. We will take some time to venture into other forms of life narrative, examine how “digital lives” are produced (through blogs, vlogs, etc., but also some non-narrative forms), and finish the course with examining issues related to the ethics of life writing/narrative and some of its institutional contexts.
- Nauczyciel: Agnieszka Rzepa