In this class we will read contemporary autobiographical writing, with an emphasis on reading the way in which memory both deploys, and is represented in, narrative. In pursuit of this goal, we will read across a range of very different styles of autobiographical writing from the twentieth century. A course pack will accompany the following readings:

Woolf, Virginia. “A Sketch of the Past” (in Moments of Being).
Nabokov, Vladimir. Speak, Memory.
Momaday, N. Scott. The Names: A Memoir.
Kincaid, Jamaica. My Brother.
Cha, Theresa Hak Kyung. Dictée.
Harrison, Kathryn, The Kiss.
Bechdel, Alison. Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic.

This is a writing intensive course, or ‘W,’ course. As such, in addition to regular response papers you will write two papers which will incorporate revision: a mid-term paper of 4-6 pages and a final paper of 6-8 pages. Our meetings will be discussion based, so regular attendance and participation in class will be essential in pursuing our work together.