ENG-40031 - Module Specification
School of Humanities
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

Programme/Approved Electives for 2020/21

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2020/21

The last few years have seen the publication of major autobiographical and biographical works in Britain and the United States, as well as a surge of academic interest in life writing. Life/Writing responds to these new energies in the field, and aims to create a creative environment in which students work together and apart to produce high quality work. The emphasis of the module will be primarily on autobiographical writing, though biographical projects are also welcomed. Students will examine a range of autobiographical and biographical materials during weekly two-hour seminar/workshops. There will be discussion of selected passages drawn from classic works (Augustine, Rousseau, Mill, Gosse) and from more recent works (Sage, Diski, Slater, Hamilton-Paterson and many others). Students will read draft materials and discuss work produced during the semester by their peers.

- To explore the history of autobiographical and biographical writing
- To explore contemporary practices in autobiographical and biographical writing
- To develop practical and theoretical writing skills
- To develop creative work in collaboration with other practitioners
- To develop creative skills, including drafting and editing

Intended Learning Outcomes

plan work as part of the creative process, developing material and ideas discussed in seminar/workshops: 1,2
reflect creatively and analytically on the nature, history and techniques of autobiographical and biographical writing: 2,3
produce a substantial piece of autobiographical or biographical work to a potentially publishable standard: 2

Study hours

24 hours seminar/workshops.
2 hours individual tutorial.
34 hours preparation for and reflection on seminar/workshops.
200 hours research and preparation of portfolio.
40 hours research and preparation of reflective commentary.

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment