Short Fiction

Subject 106-202 (2009)

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

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 2 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2009:

Semester 2, - 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: 2.5-hours per week. For the first six weeks, a 1-hour lecture and a 1.5-hour tutorial and for the final six weeks a 2.5-hour seminar/workshop.
Total Time Commitment: 2.5 contact hours/week , 6 additional hours/week. Total of 8.5 hours per week.
Prerequisites: Usually 12.5 points of first year 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

Mr Grant Caldwell

Contact

Kevin Brophy and Grant Caldwell
email: kevinjb@unimelb.edu.au and cal@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview: In this subject students will explore principles of the craft and theory of writing short narrative fiction. Students will read a variety of fiction texts from the beginning of the modernist era to contemporary fiction, ranging from Gogol to Chekhov, Hemingway, Faulkner, Munro, Garner and others.
Objectives:
  • demonstrate a broad understanding of recent developments and changes in published short fiction;
  • make use of elements of the poetics of fiction-writing in producing their own pieces of short fiction;
  • reflect on the influences, aims and aesthetic decisions underlying their own creative work.
Assessment: Written work totalling 4000 words comprising 3000 words of fiction including brief written notes (up to 300 words) on how the fiction responds to the subject content 75% (due at end of semester), an analysis of at least two fiction pieces from the set texts addressing issues of the poetics and history of short fiction totalling 1000 words 15% (due at end of semester), and regular participation including presenting a draft of work in progress for workshopping during semester 10%. Note: 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 special consideration will receive a fail grade for the piece of assessment.
Prescribed Texts: A subject reader will be available.
Breadth Options:

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:
  • be able to apply analytic, independent, and critical skills to written texts;
  • apply problem-solving skills to creative and critical tasks;
  • complete written tasks to a high level of literacy and communication;
  • tackle unfamiliar problems with confidence and develop cognitive skills;
  • plan and develop their own work;
  • work effectively with others while respecting individual differences.
Notes: Students who have completed 760-202 Short Fiction or 760-104 Writing Fiction are not eligible to enrol in this subject. This subject is available to Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Creative Arts students and may be credited towards a major in Creative Writing in either course.
Related Course(s): Bachelor of Arts(Media and Communications)
Bachelor of Creative Arts
Bachelor of Creative Arts and Bachelor of Music
Bachelor of Creative Arts and Bachelor of Teaching
Diploma in Arts (Creative Writing)
Diploma in Creative Arts
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Creative Writing
Creative Writing
Creative Writing
Creative Writing Major
English

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