Novels

Subject 106-310 (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-hour workshop per week
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 and 25 points of second 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

Grant Caldwell
email: cal@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview: This subject is designed to help students conceive, research and begin the writing of a novel, and to articulate an understanding of contemporary novels. It will introduce students to theoretical and historical approaches to the understanding and practice of extended narrative or novel writing. Students will read a variety of narrative-based and theoretical texts with emphasis on contemporary works. The focus of this subject is on the production of the student's own extended work of fiction, the major assessment being on an extract, preferably the opening part of that work.
Objectives:
  • have conceived, researched, and designed a novel;
  • have demonstrated an appreciation of a work of extended fiction as a contemporary cultural intervention which is enriched by conceptual and thematic as well as literary research;
  • have developed a heightened awareness of macrostructural narrative design and a range of fictional and stylisitc modes through subject readings, workshop discusssions and exercises as well as through feedback on their own writing practice;
  • have produced for assessment: a detailed synopsis of the novel, demonstrating an awareness of related contemporary works and identifying the disctinctive qualities of their work and a polished draft of one 4000 word extract of the extended fiction.
Assessment: 3000 words of narrative fiction as part of a longer work (plus a 250 word introduction discussing the conception and development of the work: this will be mandatory but not marked as part of the assessment): 70% (workshopped in class and due at end of semester); An essay of 1000 words discussing the complete reading of at least one of the novels from the Reader and at least one text in the Reader: 20% (due at end of semester); Participation (including leading a weekly discussion) 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:
  • apply highly developed analytic, independent, and critical skills to written texts;
  • apply highly developed problem-solving skills to creative and analytic tasks;
  • complete written tasks to a high level of literacy and communication;
  • tackle unfamiliar problems develop cognitive skills and openess to new ideas;
  • plan and develop their own work;
  • participate effectively in collaborative learning;
  • engage in constructive public discourse while respecting differences.
Notes: Students who have completed 106-026 Writing Extended Fiction are not eligible to enrol in this subject. This subject is available to Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Creative Arts and 760-253 theory and Practice of Fiction 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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