Students

ENGL875 – Literature and Writing in Professional Contexts

2018 – S1 External

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Director and Convenor (Creative Writing)
Jane Messer
Unit Convenor (Children's Literature)
Ryan Twomey
Credit points Credit points
4
Prerequisites Prerequisites
16cp from CWPG or ENGL or LIT units at 800 level
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
The unit promotes professional writing and research skills through the production of scholarly and/or creative projects in the fields of Children’s Literature and Creative Writing. You demonstrate the advanced learning, skills and knowledge gained in your Masters program studies through the application of your learning in the writing or production a Major Work. In consultation with the unit convenors, each student selects one of three modules for their Major Work, either: a research-based Journal Article for a peer-reviewed journal; designing a community or school-based creative writing or literature/children’s literature studies Curriculum; or undertaking a Professional Context Project. Involvement in industry is encouraged. Past Professional Context projects have included production of an issue of The Quarry, a podcast series, and public literary event. The Major Work will complement and extend your individual research and vocational aims and utilize your Masters studies. Assessment is based on your online participation in discussions and peer review, written learning reflection tasks, the conceptualization and planning of your Major Work, and documented completion of the Major Work. The unit is offered online, with discussions, feedback and resourcing of student projects supported online by the convenors.

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:

  • Conduct specialised and advanced research that engages critically and creatively with scholarship in the field of children’s literature and/or creative writing.
  • Demonstrate advanced knowledge and understanding of the varied practices, genres and techniques engaged in, in the field of creative writing and children's literature.
  • Demonstrate advanced knowledge and understanding of the field of literary criticism, encompassing current critical debates across a variety of contexts.
  • Apply and refine technical skills and specialist knowledge within a sustained creative or critical work appropriate to specific readerships and audience contexts.
  • Initiate, negotiate and interact with others in planning and executing a major creative or critically informed project.
  • Work autonomously and/or collaboratively to give and receive critical commentary and analysis of a professional practice, or creative or critical work.
  • Engage critically with social, cultural and ethical issues and the various ways in which creative writing and/or literature are oriented by cultural assumptions, practices and ideologies.
  • Engage critically with the social, cultural and ethical issues, and global perspectives relevant to both real world situations and their representation in texts.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Participation 15% No Ongoing Weeks 1-13
Digital Portfolio 15% No Week 2, 11 March
Major Work Plan 10% No Week 4, 25 March
Major Work 50% No Week 12, 3rd June
Showcase of Major Work 10% No Week 13, 10 June

Participation

Due: Ongoing Weeks 1-13
Weighting: 15%

See Unit Handbook and iLearn site for full details.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate advanced knowledge and understanding of the varied practices, genres and techniques engaged in, in the field of creative writing and children's literature.
  • Initiate, negotiate and interact with others in planning and executing a major creative or critically informed project.
  • Work autonomously and/or collaboratively to give and receive critical commentary and analysis of a professional practice, or creative or critical work.
  • Engage critically with social, cultural and ethical issues and the various ways in which creative writing and/or literature are oriented by cultural assumptions, practices and ideologies.
  • Engage critically with the social, cultural and ethical issues, and global perspectives relevant to both real world situations and their representation in texts.

Digital Portfolio

Due: Week 2, 11 March
Weighting: 15%

Students create a portfolio drawing on their coursework studies, with a series of reflections. See Unit Handbook and iLearn for full details.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Conduct specialised and advanced research that engages critically and creatively with scholarship in the field of children’s literature and/or creative writing.
  • Demonstrate advanced knowledge and understanding of the varied practices, genres and techniques engaged in, in the field of creative writing and children's literature.
  • Engage critically with social, cultural and ethical issues and the various ways in which creative writing and/or literature are oriented by cultural assumptions, practices and ideologies.

Major Work Plan

Due: Week 4, 25 March
Weighting: 10%

Students draft a Plan including aims, scope, and time line for 1 of the selected Major Work modules:

  1. Writing a Journal Article
  2. Professional Context Project
  3. Designing a School Program (Curriculum design)

On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Conduct specialised and advanced research that engages critically and creatively with scholarship in the field of children’s literature and/or creative writing.
  • Demonstrate advanced knowledge and understanding of the field of literary criticism, encompassing current critical debates across a variety of contexts.
  • Apply and refine technical skills and specialist knowledge within a sustained creative or critical work appropriate to specific readerships and audience contexts.
  • Initiate, negotiate and interact with others in planning and executing a major creative or critically informed project.
  • Work autonomously and/or collaboratively to give and receive critical commentary and analysis of a professional practice, or creative or critical work.

Major Work

Due: Week 12, 3rd June
Weighting: 50%

Student-initiated professional context projects can be collaborative or individual projects. In consultation with the unit convenor each student will select one of the following modules as the basis for their Major Work:

  1. Writing a Journal Article
  2. Professional Context Project
  3. Curriculum design

On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Conduct specialised and advanced research that engages critically and creatively with scholarship in the field of children’s literature and/or creative writing.
  • Demonstrate advanced knowledge and understanding of the varied practices, genres and techniques engaged in, in the field of creative writing and children's literature.
  • Demonstrate advanced knowledge and understanding of the field of literary criticism, encompassing current critical debates across a variety of contexts.
  • Apply and refine technical skills and specialist knowledge within a sustained creative or critical work appropriate to specific readerships and audience contexts.
  • Engage critically with social, cultural and ethical issues and the various ways in which creative writing and/or literature are oriented by cultural assumptions, practices and ideologies.
  • Engage critically with the social, cultural and ethical issues, and global perspectives relevant to both real world situations and their representation in texts.

Showcase of Major Work

Due: Week 13, 10 June
Weighting: 10%

Digital Poster Presentation and Debrief: Showcase


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Initiate, negotiate and interact with others in planning and executing a major creative or critically informed project.
  • Work autonomously and/or collaboratively to give and receive critical commentary and analysis of a professional practice, or creative or critical work.

Delivery and Resources

Digital Poster Presentation and Debrief.

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 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

  • Demonstrate advanced knowledge and understanding of the varied practices, genres and techniques engaged in, in the field of creative writing and children's literature.
  • Apply and refine technical skills and specialist knowledge within a sustained creative or critical work appropriate to specific readerships and audience contexts.
  • Engage critically with social, cultural and ethical issues and the various ways in which creative writing and/or literature are oriented by cultural assumptions, practices and ideologies.
  • Engage critically with the social, cultural and ethical issues, and global perspectives relevant to both real world situations and their representation in texts.

Assessment tasks

  • Participation
  • Digital Portfolio
  • Major Work

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

  • Conduct specialised and advanced research that engages critically and creatively with scholarship in the field of children’s literature and/or creative writing.
  • Demonstrate advanced knowledge and understanding of the varied practices, genres and techniques engaged in, in the field of creative writing and children's literature.
  • Demonstrate advanced knowledge and understanding of the field of literary criticism, encompassing current critical debates across a variety of contexts.
  • Apply and refine technical skills and specialist knowledge within a sustained creative or critical work appropriate to specific readerships and audience contexts.
  • Initiate, negotiate and interact with others in planning and executing a major creative or critically informed project.

Assessment tasks

  • Digital Portfolio
  • Major Work Plan
  • Major Work
  • Showcase of Major Work

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

  • Conduct specialised and advanced research that engages critically and creatively with scholarship in the field of children’s literature and/or creative writing.
  • Demonstrate advanced knowledge and understanding of the varied practices, genres and techniques engaged in, in the field of creative writing and children's literature.
  • Demonstrate advanced knowledge and understanding of the field of literary criticism, encompassing current critical debates across a variety of contexts.
  • Work autonomously and/or collaboratively to give and receive critical commentary and analysis of a professional practice, or creative or critical work.

Assessment tasks

  • Participation
  • Digital Portfolio
  • Major Work Plan
  • Major Work

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

  • Conduct specialised and advanced research that engages critically and creatively with scholarship in the field of children’s literature and/or creative writing.
  • Demonstrate advanced knowledge and understanding of the varied practices, genres and techniques engaged in, in the field of creative writing and children's literature.
  • Apply and refine technical skills and specialist knowledge within a sustained creative or critical work appropriate to specific readerships and audience contexts.
  • Initiate, negotiate and interact with others in planning and executing a major creative or critically informed project.
  • Work autonomously and/or collaboratively to give and receive critical commentary and analysis of a professional practice, or creative or critical work.

Assessment tasks

  • Major Work Plan
  • Major Work

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

  • Initiate, negotiate and interact with others in planning and executing a major creative or critically informed project.
  • Work autonomously and/or collaboratively to give and receive critical commentary and analysis of a professional practice, or creative or critical work.
  • Engage critically with the social, cultural and ethical issues, and global perspectives relevant to both real world situations and their representation in texts.

Assessment tasks

  • Participation
  • Digital Portfolio
  • Major Work Plan
  • Showcase of Major Work

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

  • Engage critically with social, cultural and ethical issues and the various ways in which creative writing and/or literature are oriented by cultural assumptions, practices and ideologies.
  • Engage critically with the social, cultural and ethical issues, and global perspectives relevant to both real world situations and their representation in texts.