University of Technology Sydney

52697 Major Writing Project

Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.

Subject handbook information prior to 2024 is available in the Archives.

UTS: Communication: Journalism and Writing
Credit points: 6 cp
Result type: Grade and marks

Requisite(s): 32 credit points of completed study in spk(s): MAJ10051 Creative Writing Major OR 36 credit points of completed study in spk(s): MAJ09477 48cp Writing and Publishing Major OR 36 credit points of completed study in spk(s): MAJ09489 48cp Writing and Publishing Major
Anti-requisite(s): 54075 Creative Writing Project AND 58331 Creative Writing Project

Description

In this subject, students complete a creative work in their chosen form, format or genre, to a standard expected for submission to a relevant publication, platform, venue, agent, competition or other outlet. Supported by peer-to-peer workshopping and a seminar series focusing on the development of creative work, and concepts relating to creativity, routines, practice and experimentation, students develop a deeper understanding of sustainable creative careers. Students develop skills in concept development, editing and revising, professional presentation and/or dissemination, as well as an understanding of the importance of Indigenous writing in Australian culture. They propose and showcase their final project to peers from inside and outside of the university.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

a. Produce original and imaginative creative writing at a professional and potentially publishable standard
b. Identify relevant literary publications, resources and other key creative industry organisations
c. Argue for the cultural value of Indigenous literary or creative outlets and publications
d. Locate one’s own creative writing in a cultural and professional context

Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)

This subject engages with the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs), which are tailored to the Graduate Attributes set for all graduates of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences:

  • Act in a professional manner appropriate to communication industries (1.1)
  • Employ appropriate research and inquiry skills to independently gather, organise and analyse information across diverse platforms (2.1)
  • Act as reflexive critical thinkers and innovative creative practitioners who evaluate their own and others' work (2.2)
  • Apply knowledge of Indigenous issues in professional practices and engage responsibly in communicating with and about Indigenous people and communities (4.1)
  • Exemplify effective and appropriate communication in different communication industry contexts (6.1)

Teaching and learning strategies

In weekly seminars, students discuss and analyse information provided on topics relevant to their creative work development. They workshop in small groups and more widely in a panel-style workshopping process. These interactive activities are supported with online, asynchronous content and activities, including weekly lectures. Through class activities and group discussion, students receive formative feedback before week 4 in relation to both their creative writing and their first research-based assignment.

Content (topics)

Students meet experts in the writing and publishing industries to gain insights into creative practice and creative writing and to prepare them for independence as creative writing professionals. Students gain new insights into the aesthetics and poetics of writing, complexities of theme, the politics of craft, and other critical concepts in creative writing, making connections between critical and creative practice. Students explore frameworks for developing and evaluating cultural competency and develop their awareness of equity, diversity and citizenship in the creative arts. These frameworks are applied in research reports on outlets that are dedicated to, or significantly promote, the creative works of Indigenous writers and creative practitioners in order to gain further Indigenous competencies. Students identify issues such as creative resilience, management of complex projects and the development and execution of ideas and are introduced to strategies to maintain sustainable creative careers.

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Report on an Australian Indigenous literary/cultural resource

Objective(s):

a, b and c

Weight: 35%
Length:

700 words

Criteria linkages:
Criteria Weight (%) SLOs CILOs
Coherence of argument for cultural value of Indigenous publication/resource 35 c 4.1
Clarity of expression 30 a 6.1
Depth of research 25 b 2.1
Accuracy of referencing 10 a 1.1
SLOs: subject learning objectives
CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Assessment task 2: Major Creative Project

Objective(s):

a and d

Weight: 65%
Length:

2500 (or equivalent for non-prose works)

Criteria linkages:
Criteria Weight (%) SLOs CILOs
Originality and creativity of writing 35 a 2.2
Effectiveness of structure 35 a 6.1
Clarity of expression and professionalism of presentation 30 a, d 1.1
SLOs: subject learning objectives
CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Required texts

Readings available via UTS Library, through Canvas

References

Adsitt, J. (ed). 2018. Critical Creative Writing. Bloomsbury.

Australia Council for the Arts, 2019. Protocols for using First Nations Cultural and Intellectual Property in the Arts (retrieved 4 July 2021 from https://www.australiacouncil.gov.au/workspace/uploads/files/protocols-for-using-first-nati-5f72716d09f01.pdf)

Batty, C. (ed). 2014. Screenwriters and Screenwriting: putting practice into context. Palgrave Macmillan.

Bird, C, 2012. Dear Writer: Revisited. Spineless Wonders.

Browne, R. & King, D. 2004. Self-Editing for Fiction Writers. HarperCollins.

Carriere, J. C. 1994. The Secret Language of Film. Pantheon Books.

Eagleton, T. 2007. How to Read a Poem. Blackwell.

Edwards, H. 2012. Authorpreneurship: the business of creativity. ASA/Keesing Press.

Harper, G. (ed). 2012. Inside Creative Writing, interviews with contemporary writers. Palgrave Macmillan.

Jose, N. (General Ed) 2009. Macquarie PEN Anthology of Australian Literature. Allen & Unwin.

Salasses, M. 2021 Craft in the Real World. Catapult.

Snooks & Co, 2002. Style Manual: for authors, editors and printers, 6th edition. John Wiley & Sons.

Walker, B, 2011. The Writers’ Reader: A Guide to Writing Fiction and Poetry. Halstead Press.

Wood, J. 2009. How Fiction Works. Picador.