The Personal is Political: Biography, Gender and Diversity- Period 2

"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.

Contact hours listed under a course description may vary due to the combination of lecture-based and independent work required for each course therefore, CEA's recommended credits are based on the ECTS credits assigned by VU Amsterdam. 1 ECTS equals 28 contact hours assigned by VU Amsterdam.