Negotiating the autobiographical I: American women's autobiographies 1968-2020

The course introduces autobiography as a complex and multidimensional genre which is often organised around an elusive "I" at the centre. The course takes as its point of departure a number of more or less conventional or experimental autobiographies written and published by American women between 1968 and 2020 to study autobiographical strategies and gestures; how the "I" is negotiated into being, transformed, and re-negotiated in relation to various cultural and societal contexts and norms; the distinction between reality and fiction; intertextuality and intersectionality; and how the autobiographical text can be engaged as a basis for discussions about race, gender, class, sexuality, culture, and history.

Instruction is in the form of seminars. In preparation for seminars, students read a number of articles relevant to the course content and apply them in analysis of primary sources.

Progressive specialisation: A1N (has only first‐cycle course/s as entry requirements)

Education level: Master's level

Selection:

Selection is usually based on your grade point average from upper secondary school or the number of credit points from previous university studies, or both.

This course is included in the following programme

• Master programme in English: Literary specialisation (studied during year 1)