Biography writing

Explore the genre of biography - what makes a good biography, why we read them, what they tell us about their subjects - and use your knowledge to make your own experiments in life-writing with a professional biographer.

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Key course information

Dates
27/09/11 - 06/12/11

Day(s)
Tue

Duration
11 weeks

Time
14:45 - 16:45

Fees
Full fee: £118
Senior fee: £67
Concession: £32

Venue
KS - Keeley Street

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Course code
HW261

Availability
This course has finished

This course has finished

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Still got questions?
humanities@citylit.ac.uk or call 020 7492 2652

Course outline

What is the course about?

The aim of the course is to develop a critical awareness of this genre of writing, to think about what makes a good biography, why we read them, what they tell us about their subjects and about our interest in them, and to make students feel confident about using that knowledge to attempt their own experiments in life-writing.

What topics will we cover?

Definitions of biography/autobiography/memoir; history of English biography; ethics of biography; biographical techniques and method, use of sources etc; biography as an art form; the uses of memory and recollection in life-writing; the uses of biography and its limitations as a way of understanding writers.

By the end of this course you should be able to:

Think critically and intelligently about what biographies are for and why we read them.
Understand the leading features of a very important genre of writing and how biographies are put together
Feel more confident about making your own experiments in life-writing.

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?

The course is aimed at anyone who enjoys learning more about writers' lives and how we describe and explore and write about the experiences of other people. It requires no specific qualifications other than a keen interest in literature and in reading and writing. It would not suit anyone who does not have a good level of spoken and written English.

How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?

Teaching will be by tutor-led discussion, small group discussion, and each session will include a writing-exercise. Short homework writing exercises and optional reading lists will be given each week.

The Tutor
Nicholas Murray is an experienced literary biographer and has published acclaimed biographies of Bruce Chatwin, Matthew Arnold, Andrew Marvell, Aldous Huxley, and Franz Kafka. He has written two novels, two collections of poetry, and has written books about place and about the British Victorian travellers. He is a contributor to the new Arvon Book of Life-Writing and has lectured widely in the UK and abroad. He writes the Bibliophilic Blogger literary blog.

City lit reserves the right to change course tutors or venues from those advertised in this outline. In line with our refund policy we are unable to grant a refund on the grounds of a change of tutor/venue.

Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?

Just bring your own writing materials. If you want to prepare yourself the best single introduction is Hermione Lee's Biography, A Very Short Introduction (Oxford University Press) but there are no text-books as such because weekly handouts will be provided on all the issues for discussion.

Do I need to have an interview before I can enrol?

No.

What feedback will I get?

You will receive regular feedback from your tutor throughout the course, as and when appropriate. At the end of the course you and your tutor are asked to assess the progress you have made.

How will I be able to give my views on the course?

Please complete the evaluation form at the end of your course. These are monitored and help us to continually improve our courses.

How do I find out if I can get some support for my learning?

You may be interested in: education and careers advice; financial and childcare support; disability support; support for Deaf and hearing-impaired students; dyslexia support; English and maths support; counselling, and library services (supported learning centre). To find out what may be available to you, and how to apply, see page 213 of the 11/12 course guide, or visit www.citylit.ac.uk/students

When I've finished, what course can I do next?

General information and advice on courses at City Lit is available from the Information and Advice Shop, open Monday to Friday 12:00 – 19:00 during term time, and Monday to Friday 12:00 – 17:00 out of term time. See the course guide for term dates and further details.

Who can I contact for further information?

Tel: 020 7492 2652

humanities@citylit.ac.uk

Advice times:

During term-time Monday 12.30–13.30 and 17.30–18.30 Thursday 12.30–13.30 and 17.30–18.30

Non term-time Monday 17.30–18.30 Thursday 12.30–13.30.

To enrol on a course, call 020 7831 7831.