Memoir Workshop

PBDS 627

NOTE: This is representative of the syllabi for this course. It is not necessarily the syllabus being used in any one semester.

Course Description: The subject of memoir is not experience but the revelation of consciousness. We'll be reading various memoirists and essayists in order to discover how consciousness is constructed and we'll be focusing especially on the role of memory. We'll spend a good deal of our time exploring the conventions of memoir and of the first-person voice in order to investigate the legitimacy of "self-life-writing": what are the fundamental tenets of constructing an authentic self on the page? How can we be authorized to tell "the truth"?

Course Requirements: One paper (2-3 pp.) and presentation on either Name All the Animals or The Color of Water. One paper (7-10 pp.) examining the craft of memoir (select a title from the reading list or one of your own choosing); one 12-15 page chapter of a memoir or personal essay (which will be workshopped) and a revision of that assignment.

Paper and class presentation 20%
Paper on craft of memoir 20%
Chapter or essay 20%
Workshop your essay 10%
Revision of chapter or essay 20%
Participation/Attendance 10%

Early in the semester, we’ll be reading together a number of articles and essays on memoir and the personal essay form; from these we’ll figure out just what a memoir is and how it functions. We’ll be looking especially at the first-person voice: why use it and to what end? We’ll divide the class into two groups, one of which will focus on McBride and the other on Smith. Each of you will give a presentation (and write a paper) on one of the two titles, focusing on how the writer uses craft. You’ll also select a book from the reading list or find one on your own and make a study of it in order to write a paper on the craft of memoir. Finally, you’ll be turning in a chapter of your own memoir (or a personal essay), which will be workshopped. You’ll then revise the chapter.

Required Texts:

James McBride, The Color of Water
Alison Smith, Name All the Animals
Course packet (xeroxes)

Late Papers: Papers are due in class. I will subtract a letter grade for each class your paper is late. However, please note that each student may turn in one paper one class period late with no penalty. The exception here is the workshopped chapter, which must be turned in on time.

Attendance: I expect you to attend class regularly and on time. If you miss more than two classes, your final grade will drop one letter.

Lateness: Please come to class on time; when you show up late, you may be interrupting a fellow student's presentation or disrupting others' concentration during class discussion. You’ll also miss announcements and updates. If you are repeatedly late to class, I will subtract a letter from your final grade.

Questions/Comments: Please feel free to come to me at any time with questions or comments about the course material or about the class itself. I find that the course is most enjoyable for you and myself if we can have plenty of discussion and if each of you participates actively. In my experience, a relaxed or “laid back” class atmosphere is most conducive to learning, but please don't assume that means I'm not invested in the course or in your success. I am very invested in helping you to meet your goals for the course and will be providing detailed and substantive responses to your papers. I expect you to turn in your very best work and to strive for excellence in your reading and writing for the class. Please don't wait until the last day of class to express any frustrations or disappointments you feel about the class. If you talk to me about your concerns during the semester, I will do my best to address them.




			Memoir Workshop PBDS 627 NOTE: This is representative of the syllabi for this course. It is not necessarily the syllabus being used in any one semester. Course Description: The subject of memoir is not experience but the revelation of consciousness. We'll be reading various memoirists and essayists in order to discover how consciousness is constructed and we'll be focusing especially on the role of memory. We'll spend a good deal of our time exploring the conventions of memoir and of the first-person voice in order to investigate the legitimacy of "self-life-writing": what are the fundamental tenets of constructing an authentic self on the page? How can we be authorized to tell "the truth"? Course Requirements: One paper (2-3 pp.) and presentation on either Name All the Animals or The Color of Water. One paper (7-10 pp.) examining the craft of memoir (select a title from the reading list or one of your own choosing); one 12-15 page chapter of a memoir or personal essay (which will be workshopped) and a revision of that assignment. Paper and class presentation 20% Paper on craft of memoir 20% Chapter or essay 20% Workshop your essay 10% Revision of chapter or essay 20% Participation/Attendance 10% Early in the semester, we’ll be reading together a number of articles and essays on memoir and the personal essay form; from these we’ll figure out just what a memoir is and how it functions. We’ll be looking especially at the first-person voice: why use it and to what end? We’ll divide the class into two groups, one of which will focus on McBride and the other on Smith. Each of you will give a presentation (and write a paper) on one of the two titles, focusing on how the writer uses craft. You’ll also select a book from the reading list or find one on your own and make a study of it in order to write a paper on the craft of memoir. Finally, you’ll be turning in a chapter of your own memoir (or a personal essay), which will be workshopped. You’ll then revise the chapter. Required Texts: James McBride, The Color of Water Alison Smith, Name All the Animals Course packet (xeroxes) Late Papers: Papers are due in class. I will subtract a letter grade for each class your paper is late. However, please note that each student may turn in one paper one class period late with no penalty. The exception here is the workshopped chapter, which must be turned in on time. Attendance: I expect you to attend class regularly and on time. If you miss more than two classes, your final grade will drop one letter. Lateness: Please come to class on time; when you show up late, you may be interrupting a fellow student's presentation or disrupting others' concentration during class discussion. You’ll also miss announcements and updates. If you are repeatedly late to class, I will subtract a letter from your final grade. Questions/Comments: Please feel free to come to me at any time with questions or comments about the course material or about the class itself. I find that the course is most enjoyable for you and myself if we can have plenty of discussion and if each of you participates actively. In my experience, a relaxed or “laid back” class atmosphere is most conducive to learning, but please don't assume that means I'm not invested in the course or in your success. I am very invested in helping you to meet your goals for the course and will be providing detailed and substantive responses to your papers. I expect you to turn in your very best work and to strive for excellence in your reading and writing for the class. Please don't wait until the last day of class to express any frustrations or disappointments you feel about the class. If you talk to me about your concerns during the semester, I will do my best to address them. home \| bs, corporate communication \| ba, english \| ma, publications design \| mfa, integrated design \| mfa, creative writing & publishing arts \| people \| portfolio \| facilities \| classes \| undergraduate applications \| graduate applications \| contact \| site index \| university of baltimore