Exploration of Memoir – Service

Memoir is an age-old genre that has transformed over centuries. This service learning and English elective course explores the discipline through reading, writing, and service. The goal of the course is to expose students to the power of stories and help them find their own authentic writer’s voice. How? By deeply connecting with the human experience through service work with a senior living at a local assisted living facility (and writing their memoir), reading and viewing stories about others’ diverse life experiences, and communicating a piece of their own life story through a personal memoir. Oral, written, and visual communication will all be used as modes of expression and discovery. The best way to acquire self-knowledge is through exploration and experimentation, and this memoir study allows students to do both.

Each week, students read multiple short memoirs, complete a personal memoir writing assignment, and work on their senior’s memoir. The service component of this course occurs once a week during class time. Successful completion of this course in 11th or 12th grade fulfills George School’s service requirement. Passions for storytelling, reading, and community are all ingredients for success in this elective.

This course is cross-listed as ENG520A (English).

Min-Max Credit Hours: 1.0-1.0