A Course of Becoming: Autobiography, Knowledge, Memory and (Re) Constructing Identity

This major research paper will examine the concept of Toward a Course of Becoming: Autobiography, Knowledge, Memory and (Re) Constructing Identity. Throughout the discussion, significant considerations into possible contributions of William Pinar’s (1975) Currere Method (regressive, progressive, analytical, and synthetical) juxtaposed against Stuart Hall’s theory on Identity will further substantiate my discourse. In addition to Pinar and Hall, autobiographical writing will reflect on American Civil Rights Activist Frederick Douglass’ autobiography Narrative of the life of Frederick Douglass: An American Slave written by Himself (1845). Canada’s first Black Member of Parliament, Cabinet Minister and Lieutenant- Governor of Ontario; Lincoln M. Alexander’s Go to School, You’re a little black boy (2010) will also focus my discussion on conceptualizing autobiography, knowledge, memory and their interrelationships within the framework of (re) constructing identity. The main aim of this analysis is to derive a sense of the autobiographical course run by the Caribbean (migrant) subject constructing and re-constructing senses of identity, belonging, being, and becoming. The intention of the research is to indicate the potential contribution of specifically Caribbean and African descent, (im) migrant North American autographical experience to the currere approach to curriculum understanding.