Students examine the memoirs of writers such as Richard Wright, Maya Angelou, Tobias Wolff, Joan Didion, Patti Smith, J. Drew Lanham, Garrett Hongo, Jesmyn Ward, Maggie Nelson, Stephanie Danler, and Kiese Laymon. Students analyze the techniques of memoir with an eye towards addressing the difference between memoir and autobiography, engaging the matter of “truth” in memoir, and discerning the influence of literary traditions as well as regional, racial, ethnic, and gendered histories within an author’s articulation of self. Students write several short memoir pieces as well as analytical essays. Prerequisite: One course with attribute G1 including AP or IB credit.