Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convenor
Jane Messer
Contact via jane.messer@mq.edu.au
W6A 632
Tuesdays 1-2pm or by appointment. Happy to receive emails.
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Credit points |
Credit points
3
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Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
6cp from 200 level units including (ENGL233 or MAS202 or MECO210 or MECO211 or MECO310 or MECO311)
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Corequisites |
Corequisites
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Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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Unit description |
Unit description
This unit is suited to students who wish to develop skills and confidence with their writing of narrative, either in the short story or novel genre. In addition to weekly writing tasks, students will write two to three short stories or two thematically linked novel chapters. The unit is taught through a combination of lectures; readings in narrative studies and examples of short fiction; and workshops of student writing. Narrative studies topics include focalisation, management of time, scene structures, speech and dialogue. Assessment takes into account each student's creative work, weekly writing exercises, discussion and analysis of the readings, weekly attendance and participation, and the student's workshop and discussion skills. Assessment is ongoing throughout the semester.
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Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
Name | Weighting | Due |
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Participation | 10% | Weekly, Weeks 1-12 |
Quiz | 15% | Weeks 4, 8, 12 |
Writing Exercise | 10% | Weeks 2, 5, 7, 8, 11 |
Creative Writing Assignment 1 | 25% | 18.04.2016 |
Creative Writing Assignment 2 | 40% | 13.06.2016 |
Due: Weekly, Weeks 1-12
Weighting: 10%
Students who do not satisfactorily participate on a weekly basis, without the valid documentation, will receive a Fail grade.
Participation involves:
The Individual Presentation (IP) is a short informal discussion.
Assessment is based on the quality and relevancy of participation. Weekly Participation is required in order to Pass this unit.
Due: Weeks 4, 8, 12
Weighting: 15%
3 online quizzes to consolidate and review learning. Preparation requires students to engage with and review the lectures and readings, and participated in class discussion of topics and concepts. No additional preparation is required.
Due: Weeks 2, 5, 7, 8, 11
Weighting: 10%
5 short writing tasks encourage students to respond creatively to writing topics and technical challenges. Instructions for each exercise are accessed from the unit's iLearn site.
Due: 18.04.2016
Weighting: 25%
A short story or a novel chapter, developing on one or more of your weekly writing exercises and/or a workshop piece.
See the Unit Handbook for a complete description of the task, available from the unit's iLearn site.
Due: 13.06.2016
Weighting: 40%
This assignment will be a new short story (or series of linked flash fictions); or if in the novel genre it will be a further novel chapter developing on the chapter submitted for Assignment 1.
See the Unit Handbook for a complete description of the task, available from the unit's iLearn site.
REQUIRED READING: Course Reader, available at the University Co-operative Bookshop
CLASSES: Classes commence in Week 1. For seminar times and classrooms please consult the MQ Timetable website: http://www.timetables.mq.edu.au. This website will display up-to-date information on your classes and classroom locations.
iLEARN: Students needs regular and weekly access to the unit's ilearn site in order to complete activities and communications for this unit.
The schedule is comprised of 12 weeks of classes and 7 lectures. Week 1 attendance is compulsory for all students. The lectures must be accessed and listened to ahead of the scheduled class, via ECHO in iLearn.
Week 1
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Lecture and Seminar 1 Greetings, workshopping, in class writing |
Week 2
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Lecture and Seminar 2 Story: Narrative and Event |
Week 3 |
Seminar Narrative and the Short Story |
Week 4
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Lecture and Seminar 3 Characters Matter |
Week 5 |
Seminar Characters Matter |
Week 6
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Lecture and Seminar 4 Character’s speak: Dialogue
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Week 7
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Lecture and Seminar 5 Focalization: orientation, point of view |
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mid session break |
Week 8 |
Seminar Hybrid genres in the short story |
Week 9 |
Seminar Structure, form and content |
Week 10
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Lecture and Seminar 6 Scene structures and Microplotting |
Week 11
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Seminar Contemporary Australian short stories
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Week 12
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Lecture and Seminar 7 Contemporary Australian short stories |
Week 13
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No class Independent learning week. Workshopping can continue if students wish to online. |
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html
New Assessment Policy in effect from Session 2 2016 http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy_2016.html. For more information visit http://students.mq.edu.au/events/2016/07/19/new_assessment_policy_in_place_from_session_2/
Assessment Policy prior to Session 2 2016 http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html
Grading Policy prior to Session 2 2016 http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html
Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html
Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/complaint_management/procedure.html
Disruption to Studies Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html The Disruption to Studies Policy is effective from March 3 2014 and replaces the Special Consideration Policy.
In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/
Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au.
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
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This graduate capability is supported by:
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