106-453 Australian Life Writing

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Subject Description:

This subject explores in an Australian context some of the genres of 'life writing', and examines the ways that constructions of subjectivity and 'selfhood' can be determined by generic conventions and by issues of nationality. The subject has a feminist inflection, because the term 'life writing' has been theorised largely within feminist theory. Students who complete the subject successfully will have an understanding of the ways in which discourses of nationality, class, race, gender and sexuality intersect in life writing. The subject offers an overview of almost two centuries of Australian life writing: biography, autobiography, diaries, letters, journalism and essays.

Assessment:

Prescribed Texts:

• P Clarke & D Spender eds, Life Lines, Allen & Unwin.
• R Davidson, Tracks, Random.
• J Davis et al eds, Paperbark: A Collection of Black Australian Writings, UQP.
• R Dessaix, A Mother's Disgrace, Harper Collins.
• H Garner, True Stories, Text Publishing.
• B Hanrahan, The Scent of Eucalyptus, UQP.
• G Harwood, Blessed City, Harper Collins.
• B Jeffrey, White Coolies, Harper Collins.
• E Jolley, Central Mischief, Penguin.
• S Lawson, The Archibald Paradox, Penguin.
• D Marr, Patrick White: A Life, Vintage.
• E Webby ed, Colonial Voices, UQP.