The Personal is Political: Biography, Gender and Diversity

COURSE OBJECTIVE
1. Acquiring knowledge of and insight in the field of historical gender and diversity studies;
2. Acquiring knowledge of and insight in historical research perspectives;
3. Develop academic research skills;
4. Develop writing skills;
5. Develop presentation skills.

COURSE CONTENT
"The personal is political", was a well-known rallying slogan in the late 1970s women's movement. Modern historical research acknowledges the impact and influence of the many dimensions that shape individual lives, including gender, sexuality and sexual preference, ethnicity, race, age, religion and class. This seminar explores how these intersecting dimensions are present and influence the lives and biographies of politically engaged personalities, famous or unknown, by studying the genre of the political biography, autobiography and life writing. The seminar sets out with a short series of lectures by experts in the field, followed by writing and research assignments. Students will work at an individual paper, based in a biographical research project of their own choice; suggestions will be available. The course ends with student's presentations of their findings.

TEACHING METHODS
Seminar (twice weekly), with assignments and several guest lectures .

TYPE OF ASSESSMENT

• Active participation in class including following up the assignments (10%)
• Individual presentation of the outline of the individual research paper and how it links to the common reading in class (15%)
• Final discussion in semi-public seminar (15%)
• Final paper (4000 words) (60%)
  Each element has to be satisfactory in order to pass the course.