Students

ENGL233 – Creative Writing 2: Concept and Practice

2019 – S1 Day

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor
Michelle Hamadache
Contact via michelle.hamadache@mq.edu.au
AHH Level 2
TBA. Emails welcome
Tutor
Willo Drummond
Credit points Credit points
3
Prerequisites Prerequisites
(ENGL120 and ENGL121) or (6cp from MAS202 or MECO210 or MECO211)
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
This unit extends the practical work and learning methodologies of ENGL121. It is based on seminar workshops, lectures, and practical writing activities. The unit encourages responses to different genres and theoretical approaches to creative writing. It aims to develop practical written and reflective skills, and the capacity to use language and form. It encourages students to attempt new ways of writing, to develop their work into finished texts, and to consciously position these texts within the wider discourse. In this unit, creative writing is taught within contexts of contemporary relevance, in order to broaden students' range and encourage reflection about their writing. Students are expected to develop their creative writing and increase their knowledge about its contexts by producing writing throughout the unit. Unit topics and readings provide literary and theoretical examples to stimulate intellectual and creative enquiry.

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:

  • Identify key theoretical and practical concepts and integrate them in creative writing
  • Compose several pieces of conceptually developed creative writing
  • Employ written and language skills in different creative writing contexts.
  • Reflect on student’s own creative writing processes.
  • Critique and analyse literary and theoretical texts.
  • Appraise and critique students’ writing in workshop environment.
  • Demonstrate professional skills appropriate to the unit.

General Assessment Information

  • New Late Submission Penalty

“Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, (a) a penalty for lateness will apply – two (2) marks out of 100 will be deducted per day for assignments submitted after the due date – and (b) no assignment will be accepted more than seven (7) days (incl. weekends) after the original submission deadline. No late submissions will be accepted for timed assessments – e.g. quizzes, online tests.”

  • Assignments are submitted via Turnitin. 

Written Assessments: word lengths, criteria and penalties

  • Word or line lengths and marking criteria are provided in the above details for each assignment.
  • There is 10% ‘wriggle room’ on prescribed word length, so word count allows 10% more or 10% less. No penalty applies to students who remain within the 10% leeway given. Do not go over or under this word length, and only use wriggle room if this is unavoidable.
  • Do not submit work that is over or under the word length. There are penalties of 5% per 100 words over or under the limit (This does not include allowed ‘wriggle room’)
  •  
  • Students should retain all drafts of assignment work – early handwritten notes, hand-annotated printouts, computer drafts. You are not asked to submit these with your assignments, but markers may ask you to provide them at a later stage.
  • Note the relative weightings of the assessment tasks.

 

  • NOTE ** It is a requirement of this unit that all creative work handed in for workshops or as assignments is new work written for, and during, this unit. It must must engage with the unit topics and content. Work from a concurrent unit or previous units or studies must not be presented for workshops or assessments. Creative writing written prior to the unit commencing cannot be presented either. See the University Academic Honesty Policy.**

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Assignment 1 10% No Sundays 24/3, 7/4, 12/5, 2/6
Asignment 2 25% No Monday 15/04/2019
Assignment 3 10% No Monday 13/05/2019
Assignment 4 - Final 40% No Monday 10/06/2019
Participation 15% No 16/4/19, 3/6/19

Assignment 1

Due: Sundays 24/3, 7/4, 12/5, 2/6
Weighting: 10%

There are 4 quizzes over the semester, which must be completed by the due dates above. These dates fall at the end of W4, W6, W9, W12. Each quiz will close after its submission date and time. Each quiz covers approximately 3 readings from the weeks prior to the due dates. The quizzes consist of multiple choice questions.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Critique and analyse literary and theoretical texts.

Asignment 2

Due: Monday 15/04/2019
Weighting: 25%

Creative writing and reflective statement.

Creative writing: Prose 1500 words + a 350 word reflective statement. Poetry: at least 50 lines + 350 word reflective statement.

Enrolled students, see unit iLearn website for full details and criteria for this task.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify key theoretical and practical concepts and integrate them in creative writing
  • Compose several pieces of conceptually developed creative writing
  • Employ written and language skills in different creative writing contexts.
  • Reflect on student’s own creative writing processes.

Assignment 3

Due: Monday 13/05/2019
Weighting: 10%

Analysis of readings

Four questions on selected readings, requiring analytical answers of  150 - 200 words each. Total word count 550-750 words.

Full details and questions to be found in iLearn.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Critique and analyse literary and theoretical texts.

Assignment 4 - Final

Due: Monday 10/06/2019
Weighting: 40%

Creative writing and a reflective essay

Creative writing + reflective essay. Prose: word count 2000 words + reflective essay of 650 words. Poetry length: at least 80 lines + reflective essay of 650 words.

Enrolled students, see the unit iLearn website for full details and criteria for this task.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify key theoretical and practical concepts and integrate them in creative writing
  • Compose several pieces of conceptually developed creative writing
  • Employ written and language skills in different creative writing contexts.
  • Reflect on student’s own creative writing processes.

Participation

Due: 16/4/19, 3/6/19
Weighting: 15%

Participation marks are given in two parts - half at the end of first half of semester up to mid-semester break, and the other half at the end of semester.

Students are expected to attend classes and listen to the lectures and to participate fully and with engagement in all aspects of the unit. The marks given for participation include active participation in seminars, doing readings, and all workshop activities including providing feedback to other students.

Enrolled students should see the unit iLearn website for full details and criteria for participation.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Appraise and critique students’ writing in workshop environment.
  • Demonstrate professional skills appropriate to the unit.

Delivery and Resources

  • Unit iLearn Website             
  • Online units students are enrolled in can be accessed at: http://ilearn.mq.edu.au
  • The unit’s iLearn site will be available from Week 1.
  • PC and Internet access are required. Basic computer skills (e.g., internet browsing) and skills in word processing are also a requirement
  • Lectures for this unit are scheduled each week and begin in Week 1. Lectures are also offered as iLectures.
  • Seminar classes start in Week 1 and must be attended each week.
  • See participation requirements above and on the iLearn website.

 

Texts

Required reading

Essential prescribed weekly readings for this unit are in the Library Leganto Readings System.

There is a link to the Library's Leganto Reading System located on the right side-bar in the unit's iLearn site:  https://ap01.alma.exlibrisgroup.com/leganto/readinglist/lists/31160316210002171

Week 9: This is the only week where you have to read a full novel: Courtney Milan's New Adult romance, Trade Me.

This book has been ordered for the library, but you can also buy the e-book from various online venues for as little as $4.99 (Amazon.com.au; click on the Trade Me link for other buying options).

 

 Recommended texts

  • Jack Hodgins, A Passion for Narrative, McClelland and Stewart, 2001.
  •  Hazel Smith, The Writing Experiment: Strategies for innovative creative writing, Allen and Unwin, 2005.
  •  David Morley, The Cambridge Introduction to Creative Writing, UK, Cambridge UP, 2007
  •  Mark Tredinnick, The Little Green Grammar Book, Sydney, UNSW Press, 2008

Unit Schedule

1. Introduction

2. Short Story and Narrative 1

3. Short Story and Narrative 2

4. Global Writing in English

5. Rewriting Narratives

6. Experimental Writing and the Postmodern

7. Writing Other Worlds

8. Identity and Subjectivity

9. Romance Fiction - Genre

10. Collage

11. New Genres and Hybrid Genres

12. Eco poetry

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Undergraduate students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/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/study/getting-started/student-conduct​

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) 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 or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

 

Unit Requirements and Expectations

 To complete this unit, students must

  • complete and submit all assessment tasks;attend and participate in all seminar classes and in-class workshop activities, do online tasks when requested;
  • attend lectures or listen to the Echo360 recordings;
  • be prepared for classes by doing the readings;
  • come to class prepared to discuss their peer's workshop submissions for that week's class, every week.
  • Students must upload their workshop writing as an attachment to their iLearn website class forum when they are scheduled to workshop by the dates specified. 
  • Missed classes can result in loss of all participation marks.
  • It is a requirement of this unit that all creative work handed in for workshops or as assignments is new work written during this unit and engaging with unit topics. Work from a concurrent unit or previous units or studies must not be presented for workshops or assessments. Creative writing written prior to the unit commencing cannot be presented either. Please see University Academic Honesty policy

Assignment Late Penalty

2% per day or part of day is applied to assignments submitted to Turnitin after the assignment deadline, including both day and time.

There is also a penalty for assignments which are below or above the word or line limits. After 10% 'wriggle room' either side of the stated limit for each assignment, work is penalised up to 10% per 200 words or pro-rata for line counts for poetry.

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

If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@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

Creative and Innovative

Our graduates will also be capable of creative thinking and of creating knowledge. They will be imaginative and open to experience and capable of innovation at work and in the community. We want them to be engaged in applying their critical, creative thinking.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Identify key theoretical and practical concepts and integrate them in creative writing
  • Compose several pieces of conceptually developed creative writing

Assessment tasks

  • Asignment 2
  • Assignment 4 - Final

Capable of Professional and Personal Judgement and Initiative

We want our graduates to have emotional intelligence and sound interpersonal skills and to demonstrate discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgement. They will exercise initiative as needed. They will be capable of risk assessment, and be able to handle ambiguity and complexity, enabling them to be adaptable in diverse and changing environments.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Identify key theoretical and practical concepts and integrate them in creative writing
  • Compose several pieces of conceptually developed creative writing
  • Employ written and language skills in different creative writing contexts.
  • Reflect on student’s own creative writing processes.
  • Appraise and critique students’ writing in workshop environment.
  • Demonstrate professional skills appropriate to the unit.

Assessment tasks

  • Asignment 2
  • Assignment 4 - Final
  • Participation

Commitment to Continuous Learning

Our graduates will have enquiring minds and a literate curiosity which will lead them to pursue knowledge for its own sake. They will continue to pursue learning in their careers and as they participate in the world. They will be capable of reflecting on their experiences and relationships with others and the environment, learning from them, and growing - personally, professionally and socially.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Compose several pieces of conceptually developed creative writing
  • Employ written and language skills in different creative writing contexts.
  • Reflect on student’s own creative writing processes.

Assessment tasks

  • Asignment 2
  • Assignment 4 - Final

Discipline Specific Knowledge and Skills

Our graduates will take with them the intellectual development, depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content in their chosen fields to make them competent and confident in their subject or profession. They will be able to demonstrate, where relevant, professional technical competence and meet professional standards. They will be able to articulate the structure of knowledge of their discipline, be able to adapt discipline-specific knowledge to novel situations, and be able to contribute from their discipline to inter-disciplinary solutions to problems.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Identify key theoretical and practical concepts and integrate them in creative writing
  • Compose several pieces of conceptually developed creative writing
  • Employ written and language skills in different creative writing contexts.
  • Reflect on student’s own creative writing processes.
  • Critique and analyse literary and theoretical texts.
  • Appraise and critique students’ writing in workshop environment.

Assessment tasks

  • Assignment 1
  • Asignment 2
  • Assignment 3
  • Assignment 4 - Final
  • Participation

Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

We want our graduates to be capable of reasoning, questioning and analysing, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments; to be able to critique constraints, assumptions and limitations; to be able to think independently and systemically in relation to scholarly activity, in the workplace, and in the world. We want them to have a level of scientific and information technology literacy.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Identify key theoretical and practical concepts and integrate them in creative writing
  • Reflect on student’s own creative writing processes.
  • Critique and analyse literary and theoretical texts.

Assessment tasks

  • Assignment 1
  • Asignment 2
  • Assignment 3
  • Assignment 4 - Final

Problem Solving and Research Capability

Our graduates should be capable of researching; of analysing, and interpreting and assessing data and information in various forms; of drawing connections across fields of knowledge; and they should be able to relate their knowledge to complex situations at work or in the world, in order to diagnose and solve problems. We want them to have the confidence to take the initiative in doing so, within an awareness of their own limitations.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Identify key theoretical and practical concepts and integrate them in creative writing
  • Compose several pieces of conceptually developed creative writing
  • Critique and analyse literary and theoretical texts.

Assessment tasks

  • Asignment 2
  • Assignment 4 - Final

Effective Communication

We want to develop in our students the ability to communicate and convey their views in forms effective with different audiences. We want our graduates to take with them the capability to read, listen, question, gather and evaluate information resources in a variety of formats, assess, write clearly, speak effectively, and to use visual communication and communication technologies as appropriate.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Identify key theoretical and practical concepts and integrate them in creative writing
  • Compose several pieces of conceptually developed creative writing
  • Employ written and language skills in different creative writing contexts.
  • Appraise and critique students’ writing in workshop environment.
  • Demonstrate professional skills appropriate to the unit.

Assessment tasks

  • Asignment 2
  • Assignment 4 - Final
  • Participation

Engaged and Ethical Local and Global citizens

As local citizens our graduates will be aware of indigenous perspectives and of the nation's historical context. They will be engaged with the challenges of contemporary society and with knowledge and ideas. We want our graduates to have respect for diversity, to be open-minded, sensitive to others and inclusive, and to be open to other cultures and perspectives: they should have a level of cultural literacy. Our graduates should be aware of disadvantage and social justice, and be willing to participate to help create a wiser and better society.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcome

  • Appraise and critique students’ writing in workshop environment.

Assessment task

  • Participation

Socially and Environmentally Active and Responsible

We want our graduates to be aware of and have respect for self and others; to be able to work with others as a leader and a team player; to have a sense of connectedness with others and country; and to have a sense of mutual obligation. Our graduates should be informed and active participants in moving society towards sustainability.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Appraise and critique students’ writing in workshop environment.
  • Demonstrate professional skills appropriate to the unit.

Assessment task

  • Participation

Requirements to pass the unit

Unit Requirements

To pass this unit, students are required to:

  • attempt and submit all assessment tasks ('attempt' means making a serious attempt at the task or tasks);
  • attend and participate in seminar classes and in-class workshop activities, and do required online tasks, including quizzes;
  • attend lectures or listen to recorded iLectures prior to class.
  • come prepared for classes by doing the readings and bringing printouts of the workshop pieces for that week’s class – their own and others’ as appropriate; also, to bring copies of readings to class. You can do this electronically, but must read all the workshop readings prior to coming to the class and be ready to discuss them.

 

  • Workshops: Enrolled students should see the unit iLearn website for details and instructions about uploading their workshop writing to the website in the week of their scheduled workshop weeks, to give others time to read them and prepare for the classes. This is an essential part of organisational and professional skills for this unit. Each student will submit 2 pieces of their writing for workshopping during the semester, and must read other student's work each week in order to participate as required in the class workshops.

Changes since First Published

Date Description
15/02/2019 The tutor Willo Drummond appeared twice