CRWR 2006 - I Have a Dream: Political Writing

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2018

Why do we write? What authors have inspired us? Many of the books and stories we admire have been conceived during extreme times. To what extent, and in what ways, is the literary imagination conditioned by its social contexts? What is political today? These and other questions form the basis of this course by challenging students to draw on their reading and life experiences to write creatively. Students will examine the work of Australian and international writers who are 'political' in different ways. In so doing, they are encouraged to 'politically' frame their work. Assessment will consist of two pieces of creative writing (which can include creative non-fiction), and an exegetical essay, that investigates the research components of their work. Texts will include speeches, poetry, short fiction, and novels, to demonstrate the range of 'political' writing that they can research.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code CRWR 2006
    Course I Have a Dream: Political Writing
    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
    Course Description Why do we write? What authors have inspired us? Many of the books and stories we admire have been conceived during extreme times. To what extent, and in what ways, is the literary imagination conditioned by its social contexts? What is political today? These and other questions form the basis of this course by challenging students to draw on their reading and life experiences to write creatively. Students will examine the work of Australian and international writers who are 'political' in different ways. In so doing, they are encouraged to 'politically' frame their work. Assessment will consist of two pieces of creative writing (which can include creative non-fiction), and an exegetical essay, that investigates the research components of their work. Texts will include speeches, poetry, short fiction, and novels, to demonstrate the range of 'political' writing that they can research.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Matthew Hooton

    Dr Matthew Hooton matthew.hooton@adelaide.edu.au
    will convene this course in 2018
    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 literary texts.
    2.Have developed a capacity to investigate contemporary writing contexts (social, historical and political).
    3.Think rigorously about selected contemporary texts and the contexts of their production.
    4.Prepare and deliver polished and carefully edited examples 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)
    1,2,3,4,5,6
    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
    1,2,5,6
    Career and leadership readiness
    • technology savvy
    • professional and, where relevant, fully accredited
    • forward thinking and well informed
    • tested and validated by work based experiences
    1,2,4,5
    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
    1,2,3,5
    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
    2,4,5,6
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources


    The Handmaid's Tale, by Margaret
    Atwood.

    V for Vendetta, by Alan Moore.

    Comfort Woman, by Nora Okja Keller.

    The City in the City, by China
    Mieville.

    Salvador, by Joan Didion. 

     
    Online lecture material available on MyUniXXXXX
    Online Learning
    Lectures will be recorded and available on MyUni and released progressively throughout the semester. Course announcements will also will made through MyUni.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    This course is structured around weekly readings and novels that students are expected to thoroughly read. Students are expected to write in class and weekly exercises should be polished prior to the following week's seminar. Seminars will provide the opportunity for detailed reflection on ideas, themes and practices introduced in lectures. The weekly readings will be discussed in detail, critically and in terms of writing practice. 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.

    Students will commit the equivalent of 156 hours of study in this course.

    Learning Activities Summary




    Specific Course Requirements
    Not applicable.
    Small Group Discovery Experience
    Provisional. The small group discovery experience may be developed through student-led seminar discussions, which may include both face-to-face and online 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
                                                                                                                                                                          

    CW Piece                    Formative          Friday week 4          20%                            2,3,4,5
    CW Piece                    Formative          Friday week 8          40%                            1,2,3,4,5
    Exegetical Essay         Summative         Friday Week 12       30%                             1,2,3,4,5
    Seminar participation  Summative  -     On-going                 10%                             2,4,5,6
    Assessment Related Requirements
    Attendance at seminars is expected.
    Submission of all assessment tasks is a mandatory course requirement. 
    Assessment Detail

    No information currently available.

    Submission
    All submissions must be in hard copy. No electronic submissions are permitted.
    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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