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Unit information: Creative Writing, Prose Fiction: Representing the World in 2023/24

Unit name Creative Writing, Prose Fiction: Representing the World
Unit code ENGL20113
Credit points 20
Level of study I/5
Teaching block(s) Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12)
Unit director Mr. Kahora
Open unit status Not open
Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units)

None

Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units)

None

Units you may not take alongside this one
School/department Department of English
Faculty Faculty of Arts

Unit Information

In this unit, students learn the practical skills of fiction. They will write their own original fiction and explore various forms of narrative in a supportive group environment. Informed by previous reading of fiction and their understanding of critical issues, students will also use their close reading skills to help each other develop as fiction writers in the workshop. The workshop teaching method provides each student with continual feedback and formative assessment throughout the unit and develop the valuable ability to give and take criticism in a group environment and to rework writing in light of criticism received. This learning experience will enable students to begin a practice of writing prose and to develop valuable insights for the study of fiction in general.

Your learning on this unit

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. demonstrate a practical understanding of the components of prose fiction and the terminology of prose construction.
  2. respond to a brief and produce an original piece of creative writing.
  3. evaluate the relationships between literature, culture, society and place as a practitioner.

How you will learn

Teaching will involve asynchronous and synchronous elements, including group discussion, research and writing activities, and peer dialogue. Students are expected to engage with the reading and participate fully with the weekly tasks and topics. Learning will be further supported through the opportunity for individual consultation.

How you will be assessed

  • 1 x short story of 2000 words, to be submitted with first draft, workshop comments and 500 word process paper outlining student craft decisions and discussing ethical questions arising in the short story (100%). [ILOs 1,2,3].

Resources

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. ENGL20113).

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 University 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. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.

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