HTY 208 - Telling Lives: Reading And Writing American Biography

Institution:

Southern Maine Community College

Subject:

Description:

This course will serve as an introduction to reading and writing biography as a historical genre. While biography itself is a broad category, this course will seek focus in two ways. First, it will concentrate on biographies reflecting a particular period in American History/revolutionary and Early National America, dating roughly from the 1760's to the 1810's. Second, it will focus on exploring four specific styles of biography. The course will examine "the life and times of." model of biography, studying one figure's influence on a particular period. Students will read an example of "collective biography," a group portrait of influential figures. By examining the "biography as argument" form, students will delve into a crucial controversy (for instance, how could slavery exist during the age of American independence ). Finally, students will learn about "microhistory," the study of a little known person whose life nevertheless illuminates the contemporary social experience. Through course reading, as well as through topical lectures, class discussion, and collaborative group work, students will come to an understanding of historical biography and its usefulness in studying American history. Prerequisites: ENG 080 a

Credits:

3.00

Credit Hours:

Prerequisites:

Corequisites:

Exclusions:

Level:

Instructional Type:

Lecture

Notes:

Additional Information:

Historical Version(s):

Institution Website:

www.smccME.edu

Phone Number:

(207) 741-5500

Regional Accreditation:

New England Association of Schools and Colleges

Calendar System:

Semester

The Course Profile information is provided and updated by third parties including the respective institutions. While the institutions are able to update their information at any time, the information is not independently validated, and no party associated with this website can accept responsibility for its accuracy.