Students

ENGX8090 – Research for Creative Writing

2023 – Session 1, Online-flexible

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Convenor
Jimmy Van
jimmy.van@mq.edu.au
Contact via email
by appointment
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MCrWrit
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This unit offers students the opportunity to develop a research project based on specific genres of creative writing and to reflect on how this affects their own creative practice. Students will have the opportunity to read and analyse different genres and to research current scholarship and publishing trends in these genres. Working independently, students will hone their critical research, writing, and presentation skills. By the end of this unit, students will gain a critical understanding of the contemporary academic and professional contexts of their own writing.

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:

  • ULO1: Analyse and evaluate different readerships and audiences for specific genres of writing.
  • ULO2: Locate and appropriately document scholarly and professional industry research relevant to the genre of writing.
  • ULO3: Use advanced critical thinking and writing skills to devise and produce a work of critical research.
  • ULO4: Communicate the value and significance of the research.
  • ULO5: Reflect upon how research applies to your own creative writing practice.

General Assessment Information

Late Assessment Submission Penalty  

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (of the total possible mark) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a mark of ‘0’ (zero) will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical issue. This late penalty will apply to written reports and recordings only. Late submission of time sensitive tasks (such as tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, scheduled practical assessments/labs will be addressed by the unit convenor in a Special consideration application.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Participation 10% No Ongoing
Research proposal and plan 20% No 23:55 19/03/2023
Critical Writing 40% No 23:55 30/04/2023
State of the genre report 30% No 23:55 28/05/2023

Participation

Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: Ongoing
Weighting: 10%

 

Relevant preparation for tutorials, presentation of research and reflection on creative practice, and feedback on other students' work.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Communicate the value and significance of the research.
  • Reflect upon how research applies to your own creative writing practice.

Research proposal and plan

Assessment Type 1: Plan
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: 23:55 19/03/2023
Weighting: 20%

 

Research proposal and plan

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Locate and appropriately document scholarly and professional industry research relevant to the genre of writing.
  • Use advanced critical thinking and writing skills to devise and produce a work of critical research.

Critical Writing

Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 50 hours
Due: 23:55 30/04/2023
Weighting: 40%

 

Research essay and a reflective statement on how research can be applied to your own creative writing practice.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Use advanced critical thinking and writing skills to devise and produce a work of critical research.

State of the genre report

Assessment Type 1: Report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: 23:55 28/05/2023
Weighting: 30%

 

Research report explaining a particular literary genre, giving examples of classic works in the genre, identifying current trends in the genre and providing examples of publishers relevant to this genre.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Analyse and evaluate different readerships and audiences for specific genres of writing.
  • Locate and appropriately document scholarly and professional industry research relevant to the genre of writing.
  • Communicate the value and significance of the research.

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • the Writing Centre for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation

Delivery and Resources

This unit is primarily a reading unit: you will be given a reading list and some guidance through it, but your time will be spent reading, researching, and crafting your research project. Students will discuss their readings and research in a series of tutorials (online or in class). Guidance is given as to the kind of research and essay that is expected; rubrics are provided for all assessments.

Extensive resources are provided for students in the iLearn unit, along with guides as to the kinds of research expected for this unit. Each student's project will relate to a creative writing project underway, or being planned.

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

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

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/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

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

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

The Writing Centre

The Writing Centre provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via AskMQ, or contact Service Connect.

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.

Unit information based on version 2023.01R of the Handbook