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Biography and Autobiography (CWRI30013)
Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 2
Overview
Availability | Semester 2 |
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Students will survey historical and contemporary pieces of autobiography and biography, reading critically for both narrative techniques such as structure, voice, point of view, and style, and cultural/theoretical views on ideas such as subjectivity and othering. Students will read essays on memory, writing the self, and writing the other alongside creative writing. Research practices such as interviewing skills, archival research and genealogical research will be investigated in the production of a folio of original autobiographical and biographical writing.
Intended learning outcomes
On successful completion of this subject, students should have:
- the ability to apply advanced theoretical, aesthetic and analytic skills to interpreting critical and creative texts;
- the ability to tackle new problems with the production of biography and autobiography with confidence and openness to contemporary artistic directions;
- a sound working knowledge of the history and contemporary directions of the genres;
- the ability to plan feasible creative projects for a given time-frame and word length;
- the ability to use structure and style with economy and power across the genres of biography and autobiography;
- the ability to participate effectively in group discussions and collaborative learning; and
- the ability to demonstrate an understanding of the wider public significance of their knowledge and skills.
Generic skills
At the completion of this subejct, students should gain the following generic skills:
- through critical and appreciative reading followed by presentations and group discussions, will acquire advanced skills in critical thinking and analysis, thinking creatively, openness to new ideas and the ability to communicate thoughts and knowledge; and
- through producing assignments as creative writing and critical essays will acquire advanced skills in written communication, time management and planning and practices and ethics in the field of creative writing.
Last updated: 27 April 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
CWRI20011: Diaries, Journals and Autobiography
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 27 April 2024
Assessment
Additional details
- An oral presentation in response to a weekly topic (10%), done during the semester.
- A 4,000 word folio due at the end of the semester consisting of: a 2000 word piece of autobiographical writing (45%) and a 2000 word piece of biographical writing (45%).
- Hurdle: This subject has a minimum hurdle requirement of 80% attendance and regular participation in workshops. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.
Last updated: 27 April 2024
Dates & times
- Semester 2
Principal coordinator Maria Tumarkin Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours Total 30 hours: a 2.5-hour workshop per week. Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 24 July 2017 to 22 October 2017 Last self-enrol date 4 August 2017 Census date 31 August 2017 Last date to withdraw without fail 22 September 2017 Assessment period ends 17 November 2017 Semester 2 contact information
Time commitment details
170 hours
Last updated: 27 April 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
A subject reader will be available.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Informal specialisation Graduate Diploma in Arts - Creative Writing Informal specialisation Graduate Certificate in Arts - Creative Writing Major Creative Writing - Breadth options
This subject is available as breadth in the following courses:
- Links to additional information
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Last updated: 27 April 2024