In this intermediate-level course, students will expand their understanding of nonfictional forms, delving into a range of contemporary styles and strategies, thereby dissolving literary barriers, and exploring the intersections of the personal narrative, art criticism, memory, the argumentative essay, the art of the interview, letter writing, collective and artist manifestos, narrative poems, and more. Each student will workshop a single piece of nonfiction twice, polishing it throughout the semester, and readying it for publication. Attention is paid to honing one’s individual voice and point of view (some of them involving reportage and research). Students will read provocative, bold and form-defying nonfiction works throughout the semester , including works by James Baldwin, Greil Marcus, bell hooks, John Waters, Lynne Tillman, David Wojnarowicz, David Byrne, Toni Morrison, Art Spiegelman and more.

In this intermediate-level course, students will expand their understanding of nonfictional forms, delving into a range of contemporary styles and strategies, thereby dissolving literary barriers, and exploring the intersections of the personal narrative, art criticism, memory, the argumentative essay, the art of the interview, letter writing, collective and artist manifestos, narrative poems, and more. Each student will workshop a single piece of nonfiction twice, polishing it throughout the semester, and readying it for publication. Attention is paid to honing one’s individual voice and point of view (some of them involving reportage and research). Students will read provocative, bold and form-defying nonfiction works throughout the semester.