Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Convenor
Kate Rossmanith
Contact via Email
Y3A191F
TBA
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Credit points |
Credit points
4
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Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to MCrMedia or MCrInd or MFJ or MCreIndMFJ or MMedia or MCreIndMMedia
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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 explores the field of creative non-fiction, both as creative practice and as subject of critical enquiry. It combines critical analysis with the development of the students' own writing projects. It will consider a range of established and emerging modes including the non-fiction graphic novel, the magazine feature, the memoir, the essay and science/technology writing.
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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:
Assessment standards in this unit align with the University's grade descriptors, available at: https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policies/assessment
To apply to have your assessment re-marked, please see: http://www.mq.edu.au/pubstatic/public/download/?id=167914
Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
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Writing exercises | 10% | No | 18/05/2018 |
Research Portfolio & Report | 40% | No | 30/04/2018 |
Major article | 40% | No | 07/06/2018 |
Seminar Preparation Tasks | 10% | No | Ongoing |
Due: 18/05/2018
Weighting: 10%
Writing Exercises
Each week students will bring multiple copies of that week's writing exercises for in-class workshopping. The exercises will comprise short pieces, ie less than 400 words, the purpose of which is to focus on particular writing craft skills. A detailed exercise brief will be distributed in-class week 2.
At semester end, students will submit the five exercises for assessment. They will submit those exercises via Turn It In by 11.59pm on Friday 18 May 2018.
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 (including weekends) after the original submission deadline. No late submissions will be accepted for timed assessments – e.g. quizzes, online tests.
Extensions: Extensions can only be granted by the tutor in line with university policy.
This Assessment Task relates to the following Learning Outcomes:
• Demonstrate an understanding of the diverse range of methodologies and creative techniques informing production processes of literary non-fiction writing.
• Synthesise and expand their practical knowledge of non-fiction writing.
• Demonstrate awareness of ethical conduct in relation to contemporary non-fiction writing.
Due: 30/04/2018
Weighting: 40%
Research Portfolio & Report
Task: Submit a research portfolio plus 600-word research report (to be submitted via Turn It In by 11.59pm on Monday 30 April 2018). Students will incur a late penalty (2% per day) for late submissions.
Extensions: Extensions can only be granted by the tutor in line with university policy.
The background research and footwork is the core, the substance and the hidden bulk of any successful piece of non-fiction writing. (Insufficient research always shows – usually as repetitive, waffly, “puffy” prose.) Solid and thoughtful research is the hidden 90% of the iceberg. Research skills are vital, but each project presents its own unique challenges. This exercise is to help you become familiar with the broad contours and specifics of researching for non-fiction writing.
Portfolio:
Portfolio must be approximately 10-15 x A4 pages in length and include at least 4 different sources of research, such as (but not limited to):
*Interview transcript/s
*Fieldwork notes
Archival research (eg photographs and other material about particular building/s and venues,
maps, early drafts of playscripts, etc – ie material you have accessed at an archive)
Objects/artefacts (include written details of them)
Your own discussion of relevant films/documentaries
Photographs
Statistics (eg. from the Australian Bureau of Statistics)
Books/literature/journalism
Scholarly journal articles
Additional readings
NOTE: Please don’t include photocopies of books/articles in your portfolio. Instead include a detailed bibliography. Please don’t include your entire interview transcript; perhaps instead just select particularly relevant sections.
*NOTE: Your portfolio must include at least one of the following research sources: interview transcript/s, and/or fieldwork
Research Report:
Submit a 600-word research report attached to the front of your portfolio. In 2 or 3 sentences, write what your creative arts journalism article will be about, as well as the central theme/idea you are exploring, or the ‘angle’ you are pursuing. Then explain the significance of each piece of research you’ve done/collected and how you will use each piece in the final article. Set out your report under headings based on each piece of research (eg ‘Interview with XXXX’) and write a few sentences under each heading.
Marking Criteria:
You will be marked on:
Demonstrated ability to conduct in-depth, relevant research using a variety of methodologies
Demonstrated ability to synthesise this research by focusing on one or two key themes to have emerged from it
Demonstrated ability to reflect on the relevance of such research to your proposed creative nonfiction article
Due: 07/06/2018
Weighting: 40%
Major Article
Development of a substantial, well-researched piece of non-fiction writing of up to 3000 words. A detailed assignment brief will be distributed in class. Students will submit their major article via Turn It In by 11.59pm on Thursday 7 June 2018.
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 (including weekends) after the original submission deadline. No late submissions will be accepted for timed assessments – e.g. quizzes, online tests.
Extensions: Extensions can only be granted by the tutor in line with university policy.
This Assessment Task relates to the following Learning Outcomes:
Due: Ongoing
Weighting: 10%
Seminar Preparation Task
In Week 3, 5, 6, 9, & 11 of this unit, students will submit a 200-300 word written reflection regarding the essential readings for that week - to be submitted via Turn It In by 08.59am on the Tuesdays of Weeks 3, 5, 6, 9 & 11. For those weeks too, students will also will bring to class a copy of each week's reflection Further details of this assessment will be distributed in Week 2.
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 (including weekends) after the original submission deadline. No late submissions will be accepted for timed assessments – e.g. quizzes, online tests.
Extensions: Extensions can only be granted by the tutor in line with university policy.
Essential readings are listed below. They are available via the library online.
A more detailed schedule will be available on iLearn in Week 1.
Seminars for this unit will commence in Week 2. They take place on Tuesdays 9am-11am in tutorial room 311, no. 4 Western Road.
Week 1 – no classes
Week 2 – Nonfiction Writing: On Telling the truth
Week 3 – Finding and developing ideas
Week 4 – Workshopping your story ideas
Week 5 – Research: Being in the Field
Week 6 – Interviews: Speaking with people.
Week 7 – Workshopping story and research
MID-SEMESTER BREAK
Week 8 – No classes. Students to develop the introduction to their final articles.
Week 9 – Developing Narration: The Voice of the Text.
Week 10 – Workshopping draft articles
Week 11 – The Shape of a Piece: On Structure.
Week 12 – No classes. Private consultations with your tutor.
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 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.
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:
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:
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:
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This graduate capability is supported by:
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