Theory For Writing

Subject 106-478 (2009)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2009. Search for this in the current handbook

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 4 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2009:

Semester 1, - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: A 2-hour seminar per week
Total Time Commitment: 2 contact hours/week, 8 additional hours/week. Total of 10 hours per week.
Prerequisites: Entry into honours or a postgraduate diploma in Creative Writing
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

Coordinator

Assoc Prof Robyn Moignard Ferrell

Contact

TBA
Subject Overview: A survey of critical, philosophical and theoretical writing relating to issues of creativity, creative writing and the publishing industry. Texts from, for instance, Derrida, Lacan, Freud, Foucault, Kristeva, Cixous, Barthes, Althusser, Tompkins, Wittgenstein and others will be discussed. The particular theorists and schools of thought investigated will differ slightly from year to year. The relation between critical schools of thought and students’ own creative work will be explored.
Objectives:
  • be able to engage with the possible relations betwen critical theory, philosophy and creative writing;
  • be able to show they are informed regarding recent and current debates and schools of thought related to creative writing;
  • be able to write both analytically and creatively in response to theoretical texts.
Assessment: A 3000 word essay developed in response to the selected readings, addressing a question related to the students’ own creative processs, or more general issues in the production of creative writing 50% (due end of semester); a 2000 word creative work produced in response to the selected readings and class discussions 40% (due end of semester); and participation in class discussions and presentations, including completion of weekly assignments 10% (throughout the semester). Assessment submitted late without an approved formal extension will be penalised at 2% per day. Students who fail to submit up to 2-weeks after the final due date without a formal extension and/or special consideration will receive a fail grade for the piece of assessment.
Prescribed Texts: A subject reader will be available.
  • Beginning Theory: An Introduction to Literary and Cultural Theory (P Barry, 1995) Manchester: MUP
  • The Norton Anthology of Theory and Criticism (D Leitch et al (ed) 2001) New York: W W Norton
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:
  • be able to engage in debates and discussion in a group setting;
  • be able to produce an interplay of theory and practice in written work;
  • be able to devise questions, analyse schools of thought and develop creative projects.
Notes: This subject is available to Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Creative Arts (Creative Writing) Honours and Postgraduate Diploma students
Related Course(s): Bachelor of Creative Arts(Honours)
Master of Creative Writing, Publishing and Editing
Postgraduate Diploma in Creative Arts
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Creative Writing
Creative Writing

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