Master of Creative Writing, Publishing and Editing

Course D01LF (2010)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2010.

Year and Campus: 2010 - Parkville
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Level: Graduate/Postgraduate

Coordinator

Dr Elizabeth MacFarlane and Dr Mark Davis
School of Culture & Communication
Email: ecm@unimelb.edu.au; davismr@unimelb.edu.au

Contact

Arts & Music Student Centre
Email: arts-gradstudies@unimelb.edu.au

Course Overview: The Master of Creative Writing, Publishing and Editing is designed to provide students with a vocational qualification where students take creative writing subjects as part of their professional development. The degree demonstrates the links and shared skills between writer, editor and publisher as well as between fiction and non-fiction writing. Students will enter the course on the basis of a 70% pass in their three-year undergraduate degree. On completion of the two-year Master of Creative Writing, Publishing and Editing, students with a 70% average pass will be eligible to apply for entry to a PhD.
Objectives: Students who complete the course are expected to have:
  • completed a significant research project as either practice or theory or a combination of both;
  • developed flexible and sophisticated strategies for problem-solving, researching, writing and thinking critically in creative, editing and publishing projects;
  • advanced knowledge of editorial principles and methods including detailed understanding of the use of computers in editing and publishing for print and digital media;
  • acquired detailed knowledge of effective communication strategies and sound knowledge of the commercial and global organisation and operation of the publishing industries, with particular reference to Australia and the Asia Pacific region;
  • developed an understanding of print production and design including a knowledge of the history of print culture;
  • an understanding of ethical and legal standards in the creative writing, publishing and editing disciplines;
  • developed capacity for critical evaluation and creative self-awareness; and
  • a respect for communication, support, co-operation, constructive criticism and intellectual integrity within the discipline of creative writing.
Course Structure & Available Subjects:

200 point program

First 100 points:

  • 3 Compulsory subjects (37.5 points)
  • First-year elective subjects totalling 100 points

Second 100 points:

  • Compulsory thesis subject
  • Elective subjects totalling 100 points

Total 200 points subjects are 12.5 points unless otherwise stated.

Students that exit the program after completion of 100 points of study equivalent to the Postgraduate Diploma in Arts (Editing and Communications) may be eligible to be awarded the Postgraduate Diploma.

Subject Options: First 100 points:
Students must successfully complete all requirements of the first year of the program before commencing the second year.

Compulsory subjects:

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Semester 1, Semester 2
12.50
Semester 2
12.50
Semester 1
12.50

Elective subjects:

Creative Writing
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Semester 1
12.50
Semester 1
12.50
Semester 2
12.50
Publishing and editing
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:

Second 100 points:

Compulsory thesis subject:

Note: the thesis requires two consecutive semesters of enrolment.
Students enrol in one of:

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Semester 1, Semester 2
25
Semester 1, Semester 2
18.75

Elective subjects:

(a minimum of 25 points must be taken in each subject area in addition to the compulsory thesis subject):

Creative writing

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Publishing and editing:
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Entry Requirements: For entry to the 200 point masters degree:
  • a relevant undergraduate degree with an average of at least 70% plus documented experience in writing, editing or publishing.
All applicants will need to submit a 3000 word creative writing folio.

Admission process
Core Participation Requirements: For the purposes of considering requests for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this course are articulated in the Course Description, Course Objectives and Generic Skills of this entry.
The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/
Further Study: Students who complete the thesis may be eligible to enter the PhD.
Graduate Attributes: http://www.unimelb.edu.au/about/attributes.html
Links to further information: http://www.culture-communication.unimelb.edu.au/creative-writing/ , http://www.culture-communication.unimelb.edu.au/publishing/
Notes:

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