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| Semester | fall semester 2008 |
| 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 the 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 Classic). (On order at "Labyrinth" bookshop) Secondary texts will be available on the EVA server. |
| Comments | BSF Geschlechterforschung: Themenfeld 4, Kultur und Symbolische Ordnung |
| Weblink | EVA server |
| Admission requirements | For students who have successfully completed their 1st year courses in Literature and Culture Studies. Participants must have read the autobiographies in the anthology. |
| Course application | Places in the courses will be assigned on a first-come-first-served basis. Please register until July 31st (email to alex.van-lierde@unibas.ch), stating your first and second choices of course. You will be informed which course you have been assigned to within a fortnight. Choice of course cannot be guaranteed for registrations that arrive after July 31st. |
| 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) Modul Refining Skills in Literature and Culture for SLA teachers (Ausbildung zur Lehrperson für die Sekundarstufe I) Modul Refining Skills in Literature and Culture for SLA teachers (Sek-I-Fach: Englisch) Modul Themenfelder der Geschlechterforschung (Bachelor's degree subject: Geschlechterforschung) Vertiefungsmodul (Transfakultäre Querschnittsprogramme im freien Kreditpunkte-Bereich) |
| Assessment format | continuous assessment |
| Assessment details | Regular attendance, active participation, group presentation. Format of further assignment/assessment tba. |
| 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 | Englisches Seminar |