FRH 425 READING & WRITNG AUTOBIOGRAPHY

In this upper-level seminar, students will examine the evolution of French autobiography, beginning with Rousseau’s Confessions in the 18th century and continuing with texts by canonical authors such as Georges Perec and Nathalie Saurrate up through various works of autofiction that dominate the contemporary literary scene.  This course focuses on how different authors construct their identities through autobiographical writing—occasionally breaking generic conventions in order to commit their life and self to the page.  In addition to studying a range of autobiographical works and theoretical texts, students will explore the bounds of autobiography in their own creative writing.  Students will learn to define French autobiography, analyze stylistic choices, and put their own theory of life-writing into practice.  This course is taught in French.