This course will examine the history,
theory, and contemporary practice of essayistic writing. Students will read
essays, memoirs, literary journalism, and personal cultural criticism of
accomplished writers, ranging from Montaigne, Swift, Twain, de Toqueville,
Mencken, and Chesterton to contemporary work by writers such as Chang-Rae Lee,
Adrienne Rich, Sandra Cisneros, John Wideman, and Marie Hara. To give our course some thematic shape,
I have decided to organize our reading and writing according to five topics:
food, family history, travel, political commentary, and humor. Course requirements include three
essays (one which requires extensive independent research) and four reading
responses.
Required Text
Course packet of readings, available for
purchase at Professional Image.