Contemporary Fictions

Subject CWRI40010 (2012)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2012.

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

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2012:

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


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 2
Total Time Commitment: Not available
Prerequisites: Admission to the Postgraduate Certificate or Diploma in Arts, fourth year honours or the Masters in 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 Anthony Birch

Contact

Tony Birch

akbirch@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview: This subject deals with a range of forms within the genre of fiction, with a particular although not exclusive focus on the short story - one of the lasting forms of modern creative writing, but one peculiarly receptive to intellectual and artistic movements. The subject is seminar based and engages with a range of narrative forms that compliment short fiction, in addition to the reading and discussion of fiction. Themes and texts that may be included will be essays on the production and craft of writing, the translation of works of fiction into other media, such as cinema, theatre and fine art. The subject may also look at specific forms of fiction such and the 'linked collection' of short fiction, thematic anthologies, and single-authored collections produced around physical, social, ethical, ideological and psychological themes.
Objectives:

Students who complete this subject should be able to:

  • apply advanced theoretical, aesthetic and analytic skills to interpreting critical and creative texts;
  • tackle new problems in the production of creative works with confidence and openness to contemporary artistic directions;
  • participate effectively in group discussions and collaborative learning; and
  • demonstrate an understanding of the wider public significance of their knowledge and skills.
Assessment: 5000 words consisting of a short story or first chapter of a proposed manuscript due at the end of the semester (100%). 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.
Prescribed Texts:

A subject reader will be available from the University Bookshop.

  • Boulter, Amanda. 2007. Writing Fiction: Creative and Critical Approaches. NY: Palgrave Macmillan
  • Dillard, Annie. 1982. Living by Fiction. NY: Harper & Row
  • Falconer, Delia (ed.). 2009. Best Australian Short Stories 2009. Melbourne: Black Inc
  • Geyh, Paula, F. Leebron, A. Levy (eds). 1998, Postmodern American Fiction: A Norton Anthology. NY: W. W. Norton
  • Gwynn, S. (ed.). 2009. Fiction: A Pocket Anthology. NY: Penguin Academics
  • Oakley, Barry (ed.). 2005. On the Edge: 30 Modern Australian Short Stories. Melbourne: Five Mile 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 acquire skills in:

  • critical thinking and analysis;
  • thinking creatively;
  • openness to new ideas;
  • communicating thoughts and knowledge;
  • written communication;
  • time management and planning; and
  • practices and ethics in the field of creative writing.
Related Course(s): Master of Creative Writing, Publishing and Editing
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Creative Writing
Creative Writing
Creative Writing

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