| Unit name | Creative Writing Dissertation |
|---|---|
| Unit code | ENGL30126 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | H/6 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
| Unit director | Dr. Mimi Thebo |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) | |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
n/a |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
n/a |
| School/department | Department of English |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
Why is this unit important:
This is a chance for students to deepen and display the knowledge they have attained during their degree in their creative writing practice. They will write two elements: creative and critical, that relate to and inform both each other and a topic of the student’s own choosing in a dynamic interplay. By the end of the unit, students will have experience of working independently on a creative project and of responding creatively to criticism. They will also be able to speak about their work in terms of current issues in contemporary literature and publishing.
This unit may be of particular interest to students who may be interested in further study in creative writing, or who are interested in publishing or other work in the creative sector.
The unit produces original undergraduate research, practice-based research at Level 6 and has strong employability outcomes.
How does this unit fit into the programme of study:
This unit helps students articulate the usefulness of their degree in the wider world by linking the values and practices of English Literature critical practice to the values and practices of creative writing and the publishing world.
An overview of content
The creative writing dissertation involves a writing workshop (where students read, discuss and support each other’s creative work), one-to-one consultation and feedback from the designated supervisor and guided independent writing and research. Students are expected to manage their time and pursue their creative writing and research.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
By the end of this unit, you will understand more about how critical concepts work in the wider world of literature and publishing. You will have experience of editorial feedback and of responding positively and creatively to team feedback. You will also have increased confidence in your own ability to understand and express ideas and concepts in creative writing as well as in essay.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit students will be able to:
This is creative and critical, led by the student, but guided in tutorials with a supervisor. In the workshop, students will have additional line-by -line feedback about their creative work from the workshop tutor and the cohort.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
You will take part in writers’ workshops with the other members of the class, discussing fiction and poetry techniques line-by-line, thinking about what makes writing ‘work’ and what makes it ‘good’ in a dynamic enquiry-based co-learning environment. You will also submit work to your tutor and discuss it with them. They may mark up your work editorially, discuss other writing with you (you will be expected to read suggested work), and discuss your work with you in line edits or summaries.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
You will submit a portfolio of work including:
When assessment does not go to plan
When required by the Board of Examiners, you will normally complete reassessments in the same formats as those outlined above. However, the Board reserves the right to modify the format or number of reassessments required. Details of reassessments are confirmed by the School shortly after the notification of your results at the end of the year.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. ENGL30126).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the Faculty workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. If you have self-certificated your absence from an
assessment, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (this is usually in the next assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any extenuating circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
