ABSTRACT
This essay interprets life writing as a literary genre that takes various forms. It explores life writing as a religious practice, that is, an event in the author’s present situation that may be related to religious actions such as confession, examination of conscience, theological reflection, or moral criticism of social values and beliefs. Pedagogical choices and strategies are discussed in the context of three courses taught by the author: “God and Faith in Autobiography,” which focuses on Christian texts, a course on memoirs by multicultural Americans, and a course on contemporary women’s spiritual autobiographies. Also discussed is the question of how, if ever, it is appropriate for students and the professor to speak of their own faith and beliefs. We learn to read ourselves by reading how others have written their selves, their lives.
