CRWR 2009 - So You Want to Write a Novel?

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2015

The course introduces approaches to writing a novel against a background of the form's historical development and the range of its contemporary possibilities. Students are asked to investigate the novel in its contemporary and literary form in order to define and situate the work they wish to write. They will read and analyse four recent works of fiction, two examples of literary fiction (one Australian, one international) and two examples of genre fiction (crime, speculative, fantasy, romance or historical fiction). They will engage with the work and presentations of authors visiting for Adelaide Writers Week, where attendance is required. Concepts of genre, audience, style, voice, the relationship between fiction and non-fiction, including memoir, plot (beginning, middle, end), expectation and experiment, and aspects of writing technique (person, tense, detail, elaboration and editing) will be explored. Students will learn how to prepare a submission (a workshopped proposal for a novel), including an outline, a chapter or sequence of chapters to final draft stage, and a 'pitch' to present their work to an academic or industry gatekeeper.

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Course Details

Course Code	CRWR 2009
Course	So You Want to Write a Novel?
Coordinating Unit	English, Creative Writing, and Film
Term	Semester 1
Level	Undergraduate
Location/s	North Terrace Campus
Units	3
Contact	3 hours per week
Available for Study Abroad and Exchange	Y
Prerequisites	At least 12 units of level 1 undergraduate study
Quota	100
Assessment	Writers Week written response (500 words) 10%, Group Oral Presentation and Paper (100 words) 20%, Participation 10%, Creative Work 60%

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Dr Phillip Edmonds

Course Coordinator: to be advised

Course Timetable

The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

Course Learning Outcomes

After successfully completing this course should be able to:

1. Confidently read, understand and appreciate a range of literary texts.
2. Think rigorously about selected contemporary texts and the contexts of their production.
3. Prepare and deliver polished and carefully edited examples of creative writing.
4. Critically evaluate their own and others' written materials.
5. Engage productively and respectfully with peers.

University Graduate Attributes

This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

University Graduate Attribute	Course Learning Outcome(s)
Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of a chosen discipline at advanced levels that are internationally recognised.	1,2,3
The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner.	1,2,3,4
An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems.	4,5,6
Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication.	4,5,6
A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies.	4,5,6
A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life.	1,2,3,4
A commitment to the highest standards of professional endeavour and the ability to take a leadership role in the community.	2,3,4,5
An awareness of ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context and their importance in the exercise of professional skills and responsibilities.	2,3,6

Learning Resources

Required Resources

Students are required to borrow or purchase five novels from the following list of authors who will be presenting at Writers Week 2015; details of the books will be provided early in 2015.

James Bradley
Chris Flynn
Helen Garner
Mark Henshaw
Joan London
Favel Parrett
Graeme Simsion
Jared Thomas
Rohan Wilson

online lecture material available on MyUni

Recommended Resources

none

Online Learning

lectures will be available on on MyUni and released progressively throughout the semester. Course announcements will also be made through MyUni.
Learning & Teaching Activities

Learning & Teaching Modes

This course is structured around weekly readings of novels and the work of other students. Students are expected to write in class. Seminars will provide the opportunity to reflect on ideas, themes and practices introduced in the lectures. Student interaction will occur in small group exercises, including close reading, writing, editing and other tasks.

Workload

The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements. Students will commit to the equivalent of 144 hours of study in this course.

Learning Activities Summary

Lectures and seminars will proceed in the following order through the semester

What is a Novel?
The literary novel and other genres
Characterisation
Plot
Point of View
Theme
Setting and Atmosphere
Style
Voice
Tone & Structure
Editing & Revision

Specific Course Requirements

not applicable

Small Group Discovery Experience

Small group discovery experience will be developed through student led seminar discussions and workshops.

The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
Assessment must maintain academic standards.

Assessment Summary

Written response to ONE of the five set novels                                       Formative                  1,000 words         20%
Participation                                                                                        Summative                On-going             10%
CW submission: chapter or chapters of a new novel,
plus an outline and contextualization statement.                                     Summative                 3,500 words        70%

Assessment Related Requirements

Attendance at seminars is compulsory
Submission of all assessment tasks is a mandatory course requirement

Assessment Detail

No information currently available.

Submission

All submissions must be in hard copy.

Course Grading

Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
Grade	Mark	Description
FNS		Fail No Submission
F	1-49	Fail
P	50-64	Pass
C	65-74	Credit
D	75-84	Distinction
HD	85-100	High Distinction
CN		Continuing
NFE		No Formal Examination
RP		Result Pending

Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

Student Feedback

The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
Student Support
Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
Fraud Awareness

Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.

Authorised by:	Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic)
Maintained by:	Course Outlines Administrator