Freelance Writing

Subject CWRI50001 (2012)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2012.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 5 (Graduate/Postgraduate)
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 Masters of Creative Writing, Publishing and Editing or an undergraduate degree (Honours) with some demonstrated experience in creative writing with permission from the coordinator.
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: CWRI10001 (106-105) Creative Writing Ideas and Practice, CWRI20005 (106-235) Creative Nonfiction
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: In this subject, students will explore aspects of writing in the real world, including writing to a brief, commissioned writing, writing for museum curatorship, writing to deadlines, research skills and interviewing skills. Students will practise writing feature pieces such as profiles, personal-investigative essays, political essays, sports-writing, science-writing, food-writing, music-writing and film-writing, while learning to cater their writing to a range of potential audiences and demographics. Guest freelance writers will be invited to speak about their experiences as working writers.
Objectives:

Students who complete this subject will be able to:

  • use a range of techniques to tap creative ideas;
  • plan feasible creative projects for a given time-frame and word length;
  • use structure and style with economy and power across a range of genres;
  • participate effectively in group discussions and collaborative learning; and
  • demonstrate an understanding of the wider public significance of their knowledge and skills.
Assessment: An oral presentation in response to weekly readings (10%), a folio of freelance writing, 5000 words (90%) due at the end of 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.
Prescribed Texts: A subject reader will be available from the University Bookshop.
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
Master of Publishing and Communications

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