Creative Writing I

Course Code: EN212A

Institution:

School of Arts and Communication

Revision:

2.1

For students admitted spring 2014   fall 2013   spring 2013  

Other set versions

Approval

The course was established 09 February 2012.
This course syllabus (version 2.1) was approved 30 November 2012 by the Board of Studies at Faculty of Culture and Society (k3).
The syllabus is valid from 21 January 2013. Replacement for course syllabus ratified 28 September 2012.

Education level

First cycle

Course description

This introductory course in creative writing in English develops student awareness of imaginative writing as a craft and establishes a student-centered venue for the development of that craft, the student’s own creative writing. While developing the craft of writing, the student acquires numerous transferable skills, enumerated below in Learning Outcomes.

Advancement in relation to the degree requirements

The course can normally be included as part of a general degree at undergraduate level.

Entry requirements

General entry requirements + English B.

Learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding
After finishing the course, the student:

• understands imaginative writing as both craft and self-expression;
• understands writing as a process;
• has an awareness of literary forms and genres;
• can show knowledge of Malmö University’s perspectives, as they pertain to creative writing.

Skills and ability
After finishing the course, the student:

• has developed basic imaginative writing skills;
• can write imaginatively at a basic level in literary non-fiction, fiction, and poetry;
• can edit his/her writing and the writing of others;
• can analyze and critique creative work;
• can write persuasive and expressive texts;
• can read both critically and creatively;
• understands style concerns of written English, such as punctuation and formatting;
• understands applied aspects of English syntax and diction;
• has increased his/her general English language proficiency.

Critical skills and approach
After finishing the course, the student:

• can reflect on how creative and analytical skills interact;
• has gained an awareness of the importance of self-learning;
• can read literature analytically from the perspective of writerly craft.

Assessments

The student is assessed through:

• the mastering of skills and concepts learned in the course, as evidenced in the submission of three creative assignments;
• the submission of an end-of-term portfolio, including a self-reflective essay, reflecting knowledge of writing as a process;
• the submission of a reading journal on the breadth reading texts;
• the quality of his/her participation and peer review in online workshops.

The total grade for the course is the amalgamate grade of the Creative Portfolio: 50%, Reading Journal and Exercises: 25%, Workshop Skills and Workshop Skills: 25%).



Course content

The course consists of acquiring basic imaginative writing skills in the following genres:


• literary nonfiction
• fiction
• poetry

The course concludes with the submission of a portfolio containing the student’s work for the term.

The course recognizes that good reading is at the heart of good writing. Reading broadly in the genres studied in the course is thus emphasized.


Learning activities

This is a workshop-centered course in the "studio" model. It features:


• distance learning via an online learning platform
• online writing workshops
• formal, written peer review at workshops
• writing exercises
• reading

Grading system

A,B,C,D,E,U.


Reading list and other media

Creativity and Craft: A Coursebook for Creative Writing I. Ed. Darius Degher. ISBN 978-1-84959-041-9
(Further details about how to order the book will be provided upon admission to the course.)


Halpern, Daniel. The Art of the Story: An International Anthology of Contemporary Short Stories. ISBN-10: 0140296387

Milosz, Czeslaw. A Book of Luminous Things: An International Anthology of Poetry. ISBN-10: 0156005743



Course evaluation

Towards the end of the term, students are required to give anonymous formal feedback in an online survey. The results are available for viewing by all students in the course. Students are also given the opportunity to offer informal feedback at various points earlier in the term.