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Unit information: Creative Writing Dissertation in 2021/22

Please note: you are viewing unit and programme information for a past academic year. Please see the current academic year for up to date information.

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
Pre-requisites

None

Co-requisites

None

School/department Department of English
Faculty Faculty of Arts

Description including Unit Aims

In this unit, students will work independently with one on one advice from their tutor to create an extended piece of original creative writing (two short stories, a long story, the beginning of a novel or a collection of poetry).

They will also complete a contextual paper, placing the work in the context of contemporary literature and describing how their understanding of critical concepts helped to form the creative work.

By the end of the unit, students will have experience of working independently on a creative project and of responding creatively to criticism from their tutor. They will also be able to speak about their work in terms of both critical issues and issues/themes/trends in contemporary literature.

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.

Intended Learning Outcomes

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

1) demonstrate the ability to carry out some original research.

2) respond creatively to the critical intervention of a tutor in an editorial role.

3) write about their creative work effectively and maturely.

4) create a new original body of work in prose or poetry.

Teaching Information

The creative writing dissertation will involve asynchronous and synchronous elements, including a programme of writing guidance, and one-to-one consultation and feedback from the designated supervisor. Students are expected to manage their time and pursue their independent writing. Learning will be further supported through opportunities for peer dialogue and organised ‘writing retreats’.

Assessment Information

  • 1 x 4000 word creative component (80%) [ILOs 1, 2, 4]
  • 1 x 2000 word context paper (20%) [ILOs 1, 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. 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.

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