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| Semester | fall semester 2012 |
| Course frequency | Once only |
| Lecturers | Franziska Gygax (franziska.gygax@unibas.ch, Assessor) |
| Content | The genre of autobiography has a long tradition in American literature for various reasons. The so-called rights for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness may be considered to be one of the stimuli for many life stories that depict the search for and/or realization of these goals, and a great number of American (male) autobiographies indeed tell stories of exemplary and successful lives. But autobiography also plays a crucial role in black America and has often been chosen as a narrative form by fugitive slaves to show the ordeal and a possible way to freedom. Moreover, there is a long tradition of American women’s autobiographies – among them also Native American – that reveal a different approach to self-representation. Thus, it is necessary to challenge notions of a coherent, autonomous, or unified subject in autobiographies. Furthermore, the intersection of race, class, and gender in American autobiographies must be addressed. |
| Learning objectives | The aim of this course is to exercise and expand the range of skills acquired in the introductory courses. We will read a selection of autobiographies (Native American, African American, white American), and students will be introduced to theoretical and generic issues in autobiography studies. |
| Bibliography | "Classic American Autobiographies". Ed. William L. Andrews (Signet Classics 2003). Harriet Jacobs. "Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl" (Penguin Classics 2000). (On order at "Labyrinth" bookshop) Additional primary and secondary texts will be available on ISIS. |
| Comments | Participants must have read the autobiographies in the anthology. |
| Weblink | ISIS |
| Admission requirements | Successful completion of the first-year module "Learning about Literature and Culture" |
| Course application | Enrol by email to alex.van-lierde@unibas.ch indicating your 1st and 2nd choice proseminar. The first 18 to enrol are guaranteed a place in the course of their 1st choice; others may be shifted to one of the other courses on offer. |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Use of digital media | No specific media used |
| Interval | Weekday | Time | Room |
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No dates available. Please contact the lecturer.
| Modules |
Modul Refining Skills in Literature and Culture (Bachelor's degree subject: Englisch) |
| Assessment format | continuous assessment |
| Assessment details | Regular attendance, active participation, group presentation |
| Assessment registration/deregistration | Reg.: course registration; dereg.: not required |
| Repeat examination | no repeat examination |
| Scale | Pass / Fail |
| Repeated registration | no repetition |
| Responsible faculty | Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, studadmin-philhist@unibas.ch |
| Offered by | Fachbereich Englische Sprach- und Literaturwissenschaft |