CRWR 2001 - The Short Story

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2021

This course is designed as an introduction to the craft and culture of short fiction and creative non-fiction. Students will be introduced to a range of short texts written in English and some significant short stories translated into English. The course aims to broaden students' understanding and appreciation of the range of writing in short forms and of the contexts of short story production. The short story is particularly appropriate for encouraging comparative analysis between literary cultures and phases of literary development. Students will be expected to apply their understanding of short story forms, contexts and techniques through a series of creative exercises and the production of a short story for assessment.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code CRWR 2001
    Course The Short Story
    Coordinating Unit English, Creative Writing, and Film
    Term Semester 2
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 3 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Prerequisites At least 12 units of Level I undergraduate study
    Incompatible ENGL 2045, ENGL 2028, ENGL 3028
    Assumed Knowledge Familiarity with the reading & analysis of literary texts equivalent to Level I English standard
    Course Description This course is designed as an introduction to the craft and culture of short fiction and creative non-fiction. Students will be introduced to a range of short texts written in English and some significant short stories translated into English. The course aims to broaden students' understanding and appreciation of the range of writing in short forms and of the contexts of short story production. The short story is particularly appropriate for encouraging comparative analysis between literary cultures and phases of literary development. Students will be expected to apply their understanding of short story forms, contexts and techniques through a series of creative exercises and the production of a short story for assessment.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Matthew Hooton

    Course Timetable

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

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    After successfully completing this course students should be able to:
    (1) Confidently read, understand and appreciate a range of contemporary literary texts.
    (2) Begin to demonstrate an awareness of how to frame a research problem and devise ways of addressing it in the context of creative writing.
    (3) Think rigorously about selected contemporary texts and the contexts of their production.
    (4) Prepare and deliver polished and carefully edited samples of creative writing (through a series of exercises and drafts).
    (5) Critically evaluate their own and others’ written materials.
    (6) Engage productively and respectfully with their 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)
    Deep discipline knowledge
    • informed and infused by cutting edge research, scaffolded throughout their program of studies
    • acquired from personal interaction with research active educators, from year 1
    • accredited or validated against national or international standards (for relevant programs)
    1,2,3,4
    Critical thinking and problem solving
    • steeped in research methods and rigor
    • based on empirical evidence and the scientific approach to knowledge development
    • demonstrated through appropriate and relevant assessment
    1,2,3,4,5
    Teamwork and communication skills
    • developed from, with, and via the SGDE
    • honed through assessment and practice throughout the program of studies
    • encouraged and valued in all aspects of learning
    3,4,5
    Career and leadership readiness
    • technology savvy
    • professional and, where relevant, fully accredited
    • forward thinking and well informed
    • tested and validated by work based experiences
    1,2,3,4,5
    Intercultural and ethical competency
    • adept at operating in other cultures
    • comfortable with different nationalities and social contexts
    • able to determine and contribute to desirable social outcomes
    • demonstrated by study abroad or with an understanding of indigenous knowledges
    1,2,3,4,5
    Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
    • a capacity for self-reflection and a willingness to engage in self-appraisal
    • open to objective and constructive feedback from supervisors and peers
    • able to negotiate difficult social situations, defuse conflict and engage positively in purposeful debate
    3,4,5
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    On-line lecture and reading material available on MyUni.
    Recommended Resources
    None
    Online Learning
    Lectures will be recorded and available 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 and students are expected to read and know them thoroughly. All students will be expected to write in class, this includes during the lecture. Tutorials/workshops provide the opportunity for detailed reflection on ideas, themes and practices introduced in lectures and readings. The weekly readings will be discussed in detail: critically, analytically and in terms of writing practice. Student interaction will occur in small-group exercises, including close-reading, writing practice, editing and other tasks.
    Workload

    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 engage with the following themes/concepts throughout the semester:

    What is a short story?
    Characterisation
    Plot versus story
    Narrative technique, the Narrator and Point of View
    Narrative Themes
    Atmosphere, Setting & Environment
    Language & Style
    Short fiction in the on-line environment
    Tone & Structure
    Editing & Revision
    Submitting Work for Publication
    Specific Course Requirements
    Not applicable
    Small Group Discovery Experience
    Small group discovery experience is developed through student led seminar discussions, which may include both face to face and on-line settings. The course may include collaborative assessment tasks.
  • Assessment

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

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

    Assessment Summary
    Assignment #1 Experimentation (500 Words): 20%
    Assignment #2 Flash Fiction/Excerpt (500 Words): 25%
    Participation in Tutorial Workshops: 10%
    Assignment #3 Short Story & Exegesis (2500 Words): 45%
    Assessment Related Requirements
    Attendance at tutorials is compulsory in order to receive particpation marks for work completed with peers.

    Assessment Detail

    Creative Assign. 1 (Experimentation) Formative/Summative 20% Learning Outcomes: 1,2,3,4,5
    Creative Assign. 2 (Excerpt/Flash Fiction) Formative/Summative 25%  Learning Outcomes: 1,2,3,4,5
    Participation (In-Class Peer Workshops) Formative/Summative 10%  Learning Outcomes: 1,2,3,4,5,6
    Final Project (Short Story/Exegesis) Formative/Summative 45%  Learning Outcomes: 1,2,3,4,5

    Submission
    All submissions will be handed in online through Turnitin. Further instructions will be provided in lectures and online through MyUni.
    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
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