Short Fiction

Subject CWRI20002 (2012)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2012.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 2 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2012:

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-hours per week
Total Time Commitment: 102
Prerequisites:

None
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: 106-105/CWRI10001 Creative Writing: Ideas and Practice
Non Allowed Subjects: 106-202 Short Fiction
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 Grant Caldwell

Contact

Grant Caldwell cal@unimelb.edu.au
Subject Overview:

In this subject students will explore principles of the craft and theory of writing short narrative fiction. Students will read a variety of fiction texts from the beginning of the modernist era to contemporary fiction, ranging from Gogol to Chekhov, Hemingway, Faulkner, Munro, Garner and others.
Objectives:

Students who complete this subject will be able to:

  • demonstrate a broad understanding of recent developments and changes in published short fiction;
  • make use of elements of the poetics of fiction-writing in producing their own pieces of short fiction;
  • reflect on the influences, aims and aesthetic decisions underlying their own creative work.
Assessment: Written work totalling 4000 words comprising 3000 words of fiction including brief written notes (up to 300 words) on how the fiction responds to the subject content 75% (due at end of semester), an analysis of at least two fiction pieces from the set texts addressing issues of the poetics and history of short fiction totalling 1000 words 15% (due at end of semester), and regular participation including presenting a draft of work in progress for workshopping during semester 10%. This subject has a minimum hurdle requirement of 75% attendance and regular participation in tutorials. 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.
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 skills to written texts;
  • apply problem-solving skills to creative and critical tasks;
  • complete written tasks to a high level of literacy and communication;
  • tackle unfamiliar problems with confidence and develop cognitive skills;
  • plan and develop their own work;
  • work effectively with others while respecting individual differences.
Notes: Students who have completed 760-202 Short Fiction or 760-104 Writing Fiction are not eligible to enrol in this subject. This subject is available to Bachelor of Arts (Continuing) and Bachelor of Creative Arts 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
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Creative Writing
Creative Writing
Creative Writing
Creative Writing Major
Related Breadth Track(s): Creative Writing

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