Encounters with Writing

Subject CWRI30004 (2011)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2011.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 3 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2011:

Semester 2, Parkville - 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

On Campus

Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 2.5
Total Time Commitment: 102
Prerequisites: Completion of 37.5 pts of level two subjects in creative writing and enrolment in the Bachelor of Arts or Graduate Diploma in Arts. Bachelor of Arts students should endeavour to take the capstone subject in their final semester of study after completion of 25 pts of 3rd year.
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: Usually completion of 12.5 pts of creative writing at first year and 37.5 pts of creative writing at second year.
Non Allowed Subjects: 106-362 Encounters with Writing
Core Participation Requirements: For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements 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/

Coordinator

Prof Kevin Brophy

Contact

Kevin Brophy kevinjb@unimelb.edu.au

Anthony (Tony) Birch akbirch@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:

This subject will take up questions of creativity, professional practice and critical theory as they relate to creative writing, with a view to students engaging with contemporary Australian and global writing culture. The subject will be lecture and tutorial-based, with a series of lectures followed by student-devised group projects leading to presentations at lectures. There will be, in addition, individual creative projects.
Objectives:

Students who complete this subject will:

  • be able to articulate contemporary theoretical and cultural issues related to creative writing;
  • be able to develop self-initiated creative writing projects;
  • be equipped to take the step from student-writer to considering further creative and/or professional development;
  • have a deeper understanding of writing and writers in contemporary Australia.
Assessment: Participation in a group research or investigative project including a presentation (15%), a 1500-word analytical or theoretical essay related to the group project or the lectures 30% (due at the end of semester), and a self-devised creative project of 2500 words or equivalent 55% (due at the end of semester ). This subject has a minimum hurdle requirement of 75% attendance, regular participation in tutorials are required. Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% per day. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.
Prescribed Texts:

A subject reader will be available.
Recommended Texts:
  • Leitch, V. (editor), 2001, Essentials of the Theory of Fiction, London: Leicester University Press.
  • Krauth, N. (editor), 2006, The Pelican Freud Library volume 14: Art and Literature, Harmondsworth: Penguin.
  • Calinescu, M. 1995, Five Faces of Modernity, Durham: Duke university Press.
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:

Students who successfully complete this subject will:

  • be able to work cooperatively with a group to achieve a common aim;
  • be able to present ideas and findings in a public forum;
  • be able to complete tasks requiring high levels of literacy;
  • be able to complete creative tasks independently.
Notes: This Capstone subject is compulsory for New Generation Bachelor of Arts students in order to complete a major in Creative Writing and is only available at 3rd year level. This subject is also available to Bachelor of Arts (Continuing) and Bachelor of Creative Arts students completing a major in creative writing.
Related Course(s): Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Creative Arts and Bachelor of Music
Diploma in Creative Arts
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Creative Writing
Creative Writing
Creative Writing Major

Download PDF version.