What This Document Is
This is a syllabus for ENG 660, a graduate-level seminar offered at the University of Rhode Island titled “The Contemporary Memoir: In Theory and Practice.” It outlines the course structure, expectations, and required materials for a semester-long exploration of memoir as both a literary genre and a subject of academic inquiry. The course appears to bridge creative writing and critical theory, examining the intersection of personal narrative and scholarly analysis.
Why This Document Matters
This syllabus is essential for prospective students considering enrollment in ENG 660. It provides a clear understanding of the course’s focus, the intellectual terrain it covers, and the workload involved. Current students will find it a vital reference throughout the semester for deadlines, requirements, and logistical details. Anyone interested in the evolving landscape of memoir, the relationship between personal experience and academic discourse, or the theoretical underpinnings of creative nonfiction will benefit from reviewing this outline.
Common Limitations or Challenges
This syllabus provides an overview of the course but does not substitute for active participation or direct engagement with the assigned readings and workshop sessions. It does not contain the actual texts studied in the course, nor does it offer detailed analyses of specific memoirists or theoretical concepts. It also doesn’t provide examples of student work or specific feedback given during workshops.
What This Document Provides
* A detailed course description outlining the central themes and objectives.
* A list of required texts available at local bookstores.
* Information regarding the course format, which emphasizes both discussion and workshop-style critique.
* An overview of the theoretical frameworks that will inform the course, including post-structuralism, psychoanalysis, and queer theory.
* A glimpse into the key questions driving the course’s investigation of the memoir genre.
* Logistical information such as meeting time and professor contact details.