Reading Australian Writing

Subject 106-303 (2009)

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

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 3 (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 2.5-hr workshop per week
Total Time Commitment: Not available
Prerequisites: Usually 12.5 points of creative writing at first year and 25 pts of creative writing at second year. Concurrent enrolment in prerequisites is acceptable.
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 Kevin John Brophy

Contact

Kevin Brophy

kevinjb@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview: This subject involves a study of recent Australian literary works selected from a range of genres. The approach will include discussion of ways of reading, and also creative responses to the selected texts. Students will read one significant work in preparation for each weekly class.
Objectives: Students who succesfully complete this subject will have acquired increased awareness of the contemporary Australian context for their own creative writing;
have experience of relating their own creative writing to recently published Australian creative writing;
have acquired experience and skills in discussing and workshopping creative writing in a group setting.
Assessment: Written work equivalent to 4000 words, comprising a 1500 word developed review/critique of at least two set texts (30%) due during the semester, a 2500 word or equivalent creative work in response to set texts (60%) due at the end of the semester, and a class paper presentation (10%) done during the semester. Assessment submitted late without an approved formal extension will be penalised at 2% per day. Students who fail to submit the final assessment within 2-weeks after the final due date without having received a formal extension and special consideration will receive a fail grade for the piece of assessment.
Prescribed Texts:

Diary of a Bad Year, Coetze, J.M.

The Zookeeper's War, Conte S.

Love Without Hope, Hall, R.

The Ghost Child, Hartnett, S.

Jack, Johnson, J.

Love Like Water, McDonald, M.

Dodging the Bull, Mitchell, P.

A History of the Beanbag, Midalia, S.

El Dorado, Porter D.

Best Australian Essays, 2008, Black Inc.
Recommended Texts:

Current issues of:

Australian Book Review

Australian Literary Review

Meanjin

Overland

Westerly

Island
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:

Students who successfully complete this subject should:

  • be able to apply analytic, independent and critical thinking skills to written texts;
  • be able to respond creatively to texts;
  • be able to plan and develop their written work;
  • be able to join in group discussion and activities, working to a common goal;
  • be able to work effectively with others while respecting differences.
Notes: This subject is available to pre-2008 Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Creative Arts students for credit to 2nd or 3rd year of the major in Creative Writing.
Related Course(s): Bachelor of Creative Arts
Diploma in Creative Arts
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Creative Writing
Creative Writing Major

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