Theory For Writing

Subject CWRI40004 (2011)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2011.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 4 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2011:

Semester 1, 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
Total Time Commitment: 120
Prerequisites: Admission to the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Creative Arts (Creative Writing) Honours, Postgraduate Diploma, or Master of Creative Writing, Publishing and Editing.
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 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

Dr Amanda Johnson

Contact

Amanda Johnson

amandaj@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:

A survey of critical, philosophical and theoretical writing relating to issues of creativity and the creative process. Texts from, for instance, Derrida, Lacan, Freud, Foucault, Kristeva, Cixous, Barthes, Althusser, Tompkins and others will be discussed. The relation between critical schools of thought and students' own creative work will be explored.
Objectives:

Students completing this subject will:

  • be able to engage with the possible relations betwen critical theory, philosophy and creative writing;
  • be able to show they are informed regarding recent and current debates and schools of thought related to creative writing; and
  • be able to write both analytically and creatively in response to theoretical texts.
Assessment: A 3000 word essay developed in response to the selected readings, addressing a question related to the students' own creative process, or more general issues in the production of creative writing 50% (due end of semester), a 2000 word creative work produced in response to the selected readings and class discussions 40% (due end of semester), and participation in class discussions and an oral presentation 10% (throughout the semester). Students are required to attend a minimum of 75% of classes in order to qualify to have their written work assessed. All required written work must be submitted in order to pass the subject. Assessment submitted late without an approved formal extension will be penalised at 2% per day.
Prescribed Texts:

A subject reader will be available.

  • Beginning Theory: An Introduction to Literary and Cultural Theory (P Barry, 1995) Manchester: MUP
  • The Norton Anthology of Theory and Criticism (D Leitch et al (ed) 2001) New York: W W Norton
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 engage in debates and discussion in a group setting;
  • be able to produce an interplay of theory and practice in written work; and
  • be able to devise questions, analyse schools of thought and develop creative projects.
Related Course(s): Master of Creative Writing, Publishing and Editing
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Creative Writing
Creative Writing
Creative Writing

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