Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convenor
Jane Messer
By appointment. Happy to receive emails.
Tutor
Michelle Hamadache
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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 | Hurdle | Due |
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Participation | 15% | No | Weekly |
Quizes | 15% | No | Weeks 4, 8, 12 |
Writing Exercises / Drafts | 25% | No | See iLearn Calendar |
Creative Writing Assignment | 45% | No | Week 13 |
Due: Weekly
Weighting: 15%
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: See iLearn Calendar
Weighting: 25%
3 short writing tasks encourage students to respond creatively to writing topics and technical challenges (15%). Instructions for each exercise are accessed from the unit's iLearn site. Students also submit a copy of their workshop submission before and after the mid session break (10%).
Due: Week 13
Weighting: 45%
Composition of an original short story or series of linked micro fictions developing on your two writing workshop drafts. Your final creative work shows your engagement with the unit topics and readings, and evidences a development of craft and technique through revision and rewriting following workshopping.
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 (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).
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 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
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
If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@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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