Students

CWPG811 – Creative Writing Seminar II

2017 – S2 Evening

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor and Teacher
Jane Messer
Contact via jane.messer@mq.edu.au
W6A 632
Consultations, by appointment
Teacher and Lecturer
Hsu-Ming Teo
Contact via 9850 7018
By appointment
Michelle Hamadache
Credit points Credit points
4
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MCrWrit or GradDipCrWrit
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
ENGL713 MRes program
Unit description Unit description
This unit offers students the opportunity to develop their writing across one or more genres, and to extend their skills both in the crafting and the analysis of the craft of writing. Two modules specifically cover poetry and writing for children. For students who have completed CWPG810, this unit is an opportunity to develop on the work achieved in that unit; for other students this unit offers key concepts and practices that will be extended by future study in CWPG810. Students reflect upon and interrogate their writing and writing process, explore new methods in relation to craft and technique or genre, and link this work to consideration of published creative works and contemporary narrative studies. Writing workshops and discussion of the readings are structured so that students can make productive links between concepts in narrative studies and their own writing. The unit is assessed through creative writing assignments, writing exercises and tasks, participation in weekly writing workshops, and the reading, analysis and discussion of critical and creative texts.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • Demonstration of creative and imaginative writing practices as emerging writers, through the writing of a range of creative works.
  • Capacity to raise questions and solve problems in relation to the planning, revision, editing and rewriting of written creative works.
  • Skill in critical engagement with Australian and international creative writing and narrative studies texts and debates.
  • Use and apply technical creative writing terms and vocabularies and narrative studies concepts in order to discuss and analyse concepts, craft and technique with student peers.
  • Capacity to interpret, analyse and communicate ideas about the creative work of student peers within the student writing community.
  • Demonstrated capacity for reflection, communicated in writing and discussion forums in relation to the reading and writing of creative texts.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Participation 15% No Weekly, weeks 1-12
Creative Writing Assignment 1 30% No 18 September 2017
Creative Writing Assignment 2 40% No 10 November 2017
Writing Exercises 15% No Various dates

Participation

Due: Weekly, weeks 1-12
Weighting: 15%

Weekly workshopping of creative writing by peers and own work; and discussions of readings.

A final Reflective Post posted in Week 12.

Submission of a Participation Portfolio will evidence your participation Weeks 1-12. Portfolio due 6 November 2017.

Full descriptions of these tasks can be found in the Unit Handbook on the unit's iLearn site.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Capacity to raise questions and solve problems in relation to the planning, revision, editing and rewriting of written creative works.
  • Skill in critical engagement with Australian and international creative writing and narrative studies texts and debates.
  • Use and apply technical creative writing terms and vocabularies and narrative studies concepts in order to discuss and analyse concepts, craft and technique with student peers.
  • Capacity to interpret, analyse and communicate ideas about the creative work of student peers within the student writing community.
  • Demonstrated capacity for reflection, communicated in writing and discussion forums in relation to the reading and writing of creative texts.

Creative Writing Assignment 1

Due: 18 September 2017
Weighting: 30%

This assignment will be a short story, poems, or a novel chapter, either new or developing on a writing exercise and/or a workshop piece. Word limit: 2,000-2,500 words (maximum) short story, novel chapter, creative nonfiction work, or 5-6 substantial poems. A full descriptions of this can be found in the Unit Handbook on the unit's iLearn site.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstration of creative and imaginative writing practices as emerging writers, through the writing of a range of creative works.
  • Capacity to raise questions and solve problems in relation to the planning, revision, editing and rewriting of written creative works.
  • Demonstrated capacity for reflection, communicated in writing and discussion forums in relation to the reading and writing of creative texts.

Creative Writing Assignment 2

Due: 10 November 2017
Weighting: 40%

This assignment consists of a substantially developed creative work/s.Word length: 2,500-3,000 words (maximum), or 6-7 poems.

This final creative piece should demonstrate that you have extended your skills over the course of the semester through the reflective, integrated learning experience of weekly writing, workshopping and CW Assignment 1. A full description of this task can be found in the Unit Handbook on the unit's iLearn site.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstration of creative and imaginative writing practices as emerging writers, through the writing of a range of creative works.
  • Capacity to raise questions and solve problems in relation to the planning, revision, editing and rewriting of written creative works.
  • Demonstrated capacity for reflection, communicated in writing and discussion forums in relation to the reading and writing of creative texts.

Writing Exercises

Due: Various dates
Weighting: 15%

Three writing tasks to develop creativity and techniques. A full description of this task can be found in the Unit Handbook on the unit's iLearn site. Due:

WE 1: 14th August 2017

WE 2: 28th August 2017

WE 3: 3rd October 2017


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstration of creative and imaginative writing practices as emerging writers, through the writing of a range of creative works.
  • Capacity to interpret, analyse and communicate ideas about the creative work of student peers within the student writing community.

Delivery and Resources

REQUIRED READING – compulsory texts

Print or ebooks in any edition.

  • Larry’s Party, Carol Shields, London: Fourth Estate, 1997.
  • The Golden Day, Ursula Dubosarsky, Allen&Unwin, 2011
  • The Art of Fiction, David Lodge, Penguin London, 1999.
  • Making Shapely Fiction, Jerome Stern, WW Norton and Co., 1991.
  • Marcelle Freiman, White Lines (Vertical), Hybrid Publishers, 2010
  • Course Readings: weekly readings are available online from the Macquarie Library. The readings should be downloaded in the week you are to read them.

RECOMMENDED READING

  • Hazel Smith, The Writing Experiment – strategies for innovative creative writing, Allen & Unwin, 2005.
  • James Wood, How Fiction Works, Jonathan Cape, 2008.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Students in this unit should read the complete Unit Handbook carefully at the start of Session. It contains important information about the unit. If anything in it is unclear, please consult one of the teaching staff in the unit.

Internal students - For lecture times and classrooms please consult the MQ Timetable website. This website will display up-to-date information on your class times and classroom locations.

External students – your gateway to the unit is through the iLearn site, which will be opened before the start of Session 2.

The On-Campus Day is on Saturday August 24th at MQ, 10 - 4.30pm. External and International students are strongly advised to participate. All external, international and internal students are welcome.

Unit Schedule

Internal students - seminars start in Week 1. Log in to the unit's iLearn site. Read the Unit Handbook.

External students - log in to the unit's iLearn site in Week 1. Read the Unit Handbook.

Learning and Teaching Activities

Lectures

Lectures discussing topics, reading, concepts and writing process.

On Campus Day or Alternative Tasks

Students meet at the on campus day (external students), working in small discussion groups, undertaking workshops and in class writing. Alternative tasks engage students in local writing events and reporting back to their groups.

Weekly Group Discussions

Students discuss readings, lectures and topics through close reading, analysis and application of new vocabulary or concepts.

Weekly Writing workshops

Small group workshops, online and in class, to workshop students' creative writing in progress. Students respond each week to their peers' writing (1-3 submissions each week) or receive feedback to their own writing.

Individual Presentation

Each student leads a discussion on a set topic or reading for their group or class, online or on campus.

Independent writing

Students develop a regular writing process during session, writing short exercises, writing for workshop of their work and for assessment.

Weekly reading

Students read weekly and engage in discussions of the set readings.

Policies and Procedures

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

Assessment Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy_2016.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 (in effect until Dec 4th, 2017): http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html

Special Consideration Policy (in effect from Dec 4th, 2017): https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policies/special-consideration

In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/

Results

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.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.

Student Services and Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

Student Enquiries

For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

IT Help

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.

Graduate Capabilities

PG - Capable of Professional and Personal Judgment and Initiative

Our postgraduates will demonstrate a high standard of discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgment. They will have the ability to make informed choices and decisions that reflect both the nature of their professional work and their personal perspectives.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Skill in critical engagement with Australian and international creative writing and narrative studies texts and debates.
  • Demonstrated capacity for reflection, communicated in writing and discussion forums in relation to the reading and writing of creative texts.

Assessment task

  • Participation

PG - Discipline Knowledge and Skills

Our postgraduates will be able to demonstrate a significantly enhanced depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content knowledge in their chosen fields.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Demonstration of creative and imaginative writing practices as emerging writers, through the writing of a range of creative works.
  • Capacity to raise questions and solve problems in relation to the planning, revision, editing and rewriting of written creative works.
  • Use and apply technical creative writing terms and vocabularies and narrative studies concepts in order to discuss and analyse concepts, craft and technique with student peers.

Assessment tasks

  • Participation
  • Creative Writing Assignment 1
  • Creative Writing Assignment 2

PG - Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

Our postgraduates will be capable of utilising and reflecting on prior knowledge and experience, of applying higher level critical thinking skills, and of integrating and synthesising learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments. A characteristic of this form of thinking is the generation of new, professionally oriented knowledge through personal or group-based critique of practice and theory.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Demonstration of creative and imaginative writing practices as emerging writers, through the writing of a range of creative works.
  • Capacity to raise questions and solve problems in relation to the planning, revision, editing and rewriting of written creative works.
  • Skill in critical engagement with Australian and international creative writing and narrative studies texts and debates.
  • Use and apply technical creative writing terms and vocabularies and narrative studies concepts in order to discuss and analyse concepts, craft and technique with student peers.

Assessment tasks

  • Participation
  • Creative Writing Assignment 1
  • Creative Writing Assignment 2
  • Writing Exercises

PG - Research and Problem Solving Capability

Our postgraduates will be capable of systematic enquiry; able to use research skills to create new knowledge that can be applied to real world issues, or contribute to a field of study or practice to enhance society. They will be capable of creative questioning, problem finding and problem solving.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Demonstration of creative and imaginative writing practices as emerging writers, through the writing of a range of creative works.
  • Capacity to raise questions and solve problems in relation to the planning, revision, editing and rewriting of written creative works.
  • Skill in critical engagement with Australian and international creative writing and narrative studies texts and debates.
  • Use and apply technical creative writing terms and vocabularies and narrative studies concepts in order to discuss and analyse concepts, craft and technique with student peers.
  • Demonstrated capacity for reflection, communicated in writing and discussion forums in relation to the reading and writing of creative texts.

Assessment tasks

  • Participation
  • Creative Writing Assignment 1
  • Creative Writing Assignment 2
  • Writing Exercises

PG - Effective Communication

Our postgraduates will be able to communicate effectively and convey their views to different social, cultural, and professional audiences. They will be able to use a variety of technologically supported media to communicate with empathy using a range of written, spoken or visual formats.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Demonstration of creative and imaginative writing practices as emerging writers, through the writing of a range of creative works.
  • Capacity to raise questions and solve problems in relation to the planning, revision, editing and rewriting of written creative works.
  • Capacity to interpret, analyse and communicate ideas about the creative work of student peers within the student writing community.
  • Demonstrated capacity for reflection, communicated in writing and discussion forums in relation to the reading and writing of creative texts.

Assessment tasks

  • Participation
  • Creative Writing Assignment 1
  • Creative Writing Assignment 2
  • Writing Exercises

PG - Engaged and Responsible, Active and Ethical Citizens

Our postgraduates will be ethically aware and capable of confident transformative action in relation to their professional responsibilities and the wider community. They will have a sense of connectedness with others and country and have a sense of mutual obligation. They will be able to appreciate the impact of their professional roles for social justice and inclusion related to national and global issues

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Skill in critical engagement with Australian and international creative writing and narrative studies texts and debates.
  • Capacity to interpret, analyse and communicate ideas about the creative work of student peers within the student writing community.
  • Demonstrated capacity for reflection, communicated in writing and discussion forums in relation to the reading and writing of creative texts.

Assessment task

  • Participation

Changes from Previous Offering

Reflective Essay is now incorporated into Participation as the Week 12 post.