The course will begin with an exciting opportunity to hear established biographers discuss the issues they faced in writing particular biographies and how they dealt with the challenges.  At the same time students will also consider the growing body of work by biographers reflecting upon these issues.  As Ray Monk and others have pointed out, some of the same questions that Dr Samuel Johnson addressed in his two famous essays on biography Rambler (1750) and Idler (1759) are still relevant: Is biography fiction? Who deserves to have a biography written of them; and how does one deal with multiple biographies on the one subject? What details are appropriate to be included in a biography and how does a biographer deal with the subjects ‘widows’? Is it possible to know with certainty the inner life of another; to what extent are biographers forced to speculate? What are the moral or ethical responsibilities of biographers towards subjects, social sensitivities and the truth?

Students will grapple with the biographical craft themselves by writing a biography. They will choose a biographical subject, plan the research project, choose their research methods, research and write a significant piece of biographical research.

On satisfying the requirements of this course, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Design an original biographical research project

2. Identify relevant original material for a biographical project, and/or produce relevant materials such as oral history interviews

3. Identify and apply the most appropriate methods of interpretation to the subject

4. Produce an original piece of biographical research to a publishable quality

Participation in online forums 10%

Original piece of biographical research, 10,000 words, 90%. The subject of the research project will be established at the commencement of the teaching period in consultation between the student and convenor.

Students are expected to spend approximately 240 hours on this course, including the 5 day intensive held in June/July.

There is no prerequisite, other than meeting the standard required for entry into a Masters by coursework.

Recommended Courses: Other courses offered from the Master in Biographical Research and Writing program.

Students will discuss and develop an appropriate reading program with the course convenor.

This course makes extensive use of online technology (Wattle) for accessing resources and activities. It will be in students’ best interests to ensure they have an adequate computer and fast internet connection, preferably at home, to ensure easy access to all on-line information and activities.