Novels

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2015:

Total expected time commitment is 170 hours across the semester, including class time.

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106-310 Novels; 106-026 Wrting Extended Fiction; 760-253 Theory & Practice of Fiction

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/

This subject is designed to help students conceive, research and begin the writing of a novel, and to articulate an understanding of contemporary novels. It will introduce students to theoretical and historical approaches to the understanding and practice of extended narrative or novel writing. Students will read a variety of narrative-based and theoretical texts with emphasis on contemporary works. The focus of this subject is on the production of the student's own extended work of fiction, the major assessment being on an extract, preferably the opening part of that work.

On completion of the subject students should have:

• Independently conceived, designed and started to research a novel, with an awareness of how it adheres to (or subverts) contemporary literary conventions;
• Demonstrated a sophisticated and critical appreciation of a work of extended fiction as a contemporary cultural intervention, which is enriched by conceptual and thematic as well as literary research;
• Developed a heightened awareness of macrostructural narrative design and a range of fictional and stylistic modes through subject readings, class discussions and exercises;
• Contributed to collaborative workshops, providing peers with constructive, critical feedback on their novels-in-progress, and effectively responding to criticism of their own work;
• produced for assessment: an essay of 1,500 words, demonstrating an understanding of the concepts and principles of contemporary extended fiction; and a polished draft of one 2,500-word extract of extended fiction.

2,500 words of narrative fiction as part of a longer work (plus a 500-word introduction discussing the conception and development of the work. This will be mandatory but not marked as part of the assessment) 65% (workshopped in class and due at the end of semester). An essay of 1,500 words rigorously discussing the complete reading of at least one of the novels from the Reader and at least one text in the Reader 25% (due at the end of semester). Effective participation (including leading a weekly discussion and collaboration on peer workshops) 10%.

This subject has a minimum hurdle requirement of 80% attendance and regular participation in tutorials. Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalized at 10% per day. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked.

A subject reader will be available.

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

• Bachelor of Biomedicine
• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Environments
• Bachelor of Music
• Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Engineering

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.

Students who successfully complete this subject will be able to:

• apply highly developed analytic, independent, and critical skills to written texts;
• apply highly developed problem-solving skills to creative and analytic tasks;
• complete written tasks to a high level of literacy and communication;
• tackle unfamiliar problems develop cognitive skills and openess to new ideas;
• plan and develop their own work;
• participate effectively in collaborative learning;
• engage in constructive public discourse while respecting differences.

Students who have completed 106-026 Writing Extended Fiction or 760-253 Theory and Practice of Fiction are not eligible to enrol in this subject. This subject is available to Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Creative Arts and may be credited towards a major in Creative Writing in either course.