CREATIVE NON FICTION
ENG2CNF
2018
Credit points: 15
Subject outline
In this subject, students are introduced to key forms of creative nonfiction, and the techniques and tools required to write these well. We conduct interlinked experiments in writing and, importantly, reading across a wide range of forms. Students will read and interrogate many genres, including memoir, reportage and history. Students are encouraged to engage critically with ideas about nonfiction, including: the idea of the narrator and narrative voice; authenticity, objectivity and truth; the relationship between self and others, places, nature and identity; form and genre; humanness and memory; pasts and presents.
Students will engage with Sustainability Thinking through consideration of historic and contemporary writing about place, the environment and landscape, and the self in the context of place. Sustainability Thinking entails deep appreciation of how the choices we make affect the natural, economic, social, political and cultural systems - now and in the future.
SchoolSchool of Humanities & Social Sciences
Credit points15
Subject Co-ordinatorKelly Gardiner
Available to Study Abroad StudentsYes
Subject year levelYear Level 2 - UG
Exchange StudentsYes
Subject particulars
Subject rules
Prerequisites Must have completed 15 credit points of first-year English (ENG1%), Drama (DRA1%) or Creative Arts (CRA1%) or CRA1PWR or HUS1PWR or HUS1MOV or with coordinators approval.
Co-requisitesN/A
Incompatible subjects ENG2WAB, ENG3WAB
Equivalent subjectsN/A
Special conditionsN/A
Readings
| Resource Type | Title | Resource Requirement | Author and Year | Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Readings | Various | Prescribed | Various | Various |
Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes
01. Demonstrate writing that uses form and structure to convey meaning
- Activities:
- Lectures and classroom discussions include analysis of how set texts (and students' texts) do this; students practice this in class, and submit assignments that do it.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills (Writing,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy)
- Literacies and Communication Skills (Writing,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills (Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills (Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills (Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills (Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
02. Discuss an array of ideas and theories related to memoir and creative nonfiction
- Activities:
- Readings and lectures and classroom discussions introduce these; students' assignments include discussion of ideas relating to autobiographical theory, creative decision-making, and forms of creative nonfiction.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills (Writing,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy)
- Literacies and Communication Skills (Writing,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills (Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills (Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills (Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Personal and Professional Skills (Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
- Personal and Professional Skills (Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills (Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
03. Engage critically with texts about the self, and particularly the self in relation to nature
- Activities:
- Lecturers model this; classroom discussion actively cultivates this skill; students' assignments include writing texts about the self and texts about texts about the self, and critiquing other students' texts
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills (Writing,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy)
- Literacies and Communication Skills (Writing,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills (Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills (Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Personal and Professional Skills (Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
- Personal and Professional Skills (Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
- Personal and Professional Skills (Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
- Personal and Professional Skills (Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills (Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
04. Practice forms of creative nonfiction writing
- Activities:
- Set texts model this; classroom discussions and writing exercises engage with various forms and genres; students' assignments and weekly writing activities include a range of forms of creative nonfiction
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills (Writing,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy)
- Literacies and Communication Skills (Writing,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills (Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills (Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Personal and Professional Skills (Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
- Personal and Professional Skills (Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
- Personal and Professional Skills (Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills (Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
05. Engage with issues in sustainability thinking and reflect on the complex interactions between individuals, communities, and the systems and environments in which we live.
- Activities:
- Set texts model this; lectures and classroom discussions engage with sustainability thinking; students' assignments include practicing forms of sustainable thinking and writing about the environment and nature.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills (Writing,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy)
- Literacies and Communication Skills (Writing,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills (Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills (Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills (Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Personal and Professional Skills (Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
- Personal and Professional Skills (Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
- Personal and Professional Skills (Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
- Personal and Professional Skills (Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills (Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
06. Demonstrate an awareness of the ethical questions and issues involved in researching and writing creative nonfiction
- Activities:
- Readings and lectures and classroom discussions introduce these; students' assignments include discussion of ideas relating ethical decision-making in memoir and creative nonfiction.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills (Writing,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills (Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills (Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Personal and Professional Skills (Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
- Personal and Professional Skills (Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
- Personal and Professional Skills (Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills (Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
Subject options
Select to view your study options…
Bendigo, 2018, Semester 1, Day
Overview
Online enrolmentYes
Maximum enrolment sizeN/A
Enrolment information
Subject Instance Co-ordinatorKelly Gardiner
Class requirements
Unscheduled Online Class
Week:
10
-
22
One 1.0 hours unscheduled online class per week
on weekdays
during the day
from week 10 to week 22
and delivered via online.
Lecture
Week:
10
-
22
One 1.0 hours lecture per week
on weekdays
during the day
from week 10 to week 22
and delivered via blended.
Seminar
Week:
10
-
22
One 1.0 hours seminar per week
on weekdays
during the day
from week 10 to week 22
and delivered via blended.
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assignment 1: 1500 words | Folio of edited weekly writing activities. Detailed feedback provided on writing against set criteria including structural integrity, meaning, creativity, connection with lectures and readings, craft and technical details. | 40 | 01, 02, 03, 04, 06 |
| Assignment 2: 2000 words | Major piece of creative non-fiction plus a short critical reflection on the writing and learning. In lieu of an exam, so feedback is offered via rubric against set criteria including structural integrity, meaning, creativity, connection with lectures and readings, craft and technical details. . | 40 | 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06 |
| In-class workshop (equivalent to 500 words) | In-class questions on set texts. Includes specific assessment on nature writing to focus on sustainability thinking. | 10 | 01, 02, 03, 05, 06 |
| Contribute responses to weekly online writing prompts | Detailed peer-to-peer feedback on weekly writing activities including structural integrity, meaning, creativity, craft and technical details. | 10 | 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06 |
Melbourne, 2018, Semester 1, Day
Overview
Online enrolmentYes
Maximum enrolment sizeN/A
Enrolment information
Subject Instance Co-ordinatorKelly Gardiner
Class requirements
Unscheduled Online Class
Week:
10
-
22
One 1.0 hours unscheduled online class per week
on weekdays
during the day
from week 10 to week 22
and delivered via online.
Lecture
Week:
10
-
22
One 1.0 hours lecture per week
on weekdays
during the day
from week 10 to week 22
and delivered via blended.
Seminar
Week:
10
-
22
One 1.0 hours seminar per week
on weekdays
during the day
from week 10 to week 22
and delivered via blended.
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assignment 1: 1500 words | Folio of edited weekly writing activities. Detailed feedback provided on writing against set criteria including structural integrity, meaning, creativity, connection with lectures and readings, craft and technical details. | 40 | 01, 02, 03, 04, 06 |
| Assignment 2: 2000 words | Major piece of creative non-fiction plus a short critical reflection on the writing and learning. In lieu of an exam, so feedback is offered via rubric against set criteria including structural integrity, meaning, creativity, connection with lectures and readings, craft and technical details. . | 40 | 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06 |
| In-class workshop (equivalent to 500 words) | In-class questions on set texts. Includes specific assessment on nature writing to focus on sustainability thinking. | 10 | 01, 02, 03, 05, 06 |
| Contribute responses to weekly online writing prompts | Detailed peer-to-peer feedback on weekly writing activities including structural integrity, meaning, creativity, craft and technical details. | 10 | 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06 |