Course overview
What are the claims of truth when we sit down to write a work of creative nonfiction? What do we owe subjects of life writing in terms of veracity, even when those subjects might be our own selves? This course explores the development of the vast and varied field of creative nonfiction, introducing students to some of the most thrilling work and urgent critical debates in a genre that spans life writing, cultural reportage, and lyric essay, amongst a number of other forms. Students will produce their own works of creative nonfiction and close readings of set texts.
Course learning outcomes
- Confidently interpret and respond to a range of contemporary literary and critical texts
- Begin to demonstrate the ability to frame creative nonfiction projects, produce plans for their research and execution, and fulfil these to deadlines;
- Engage rigorously and self-reflexively with selected creative nonfiction texts and the global and historical contexts of their production
- Write and revise polished creative nonfiction texts that demonstrate high levels of clarity, aestheticinnovation, and sophistication
- Critically evaluate their own and others' writing, both orally and in writing
- Engage seriously, sensitively, and respectfully with their peers, both in person and online, to provide substantive and productive feedback on creative work.