57239 Writing, Industry and Practice
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 2025 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 8 cp
Result type: Grade, no marks
Requisite(s): 57041 Narrative Writing AND 57134 Theory and Creative Writing AND 57031 Creative Non-fiction
There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Anti-requisite(s): 57190 Writing Seminar
Description
In this subject, students learn about the writing industry and apply this knowledge to their own practice and career aspirations. They hear from industry experts about current trends, markets and opportunities for writers, editors, publishers and storytellers. Through case studies of writers and their work, students understand how stories and texts have been developed and supported by the creative and cultural industries, from funding and mentoring to publication and production. Students develop a portfolio of industry-relevant materials through the subject, including creative development and pitching documents, and draft applications for funding, representation and fellowships. In the subject, students also devise a development and dissemination plan for a major writing project.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
| a. | Develop a comprehensive understanding of the Australian writing industry (structure, professional pathways, key concepts) within an international context. |
|---|---|
| b. | Understand major developments and debates around ethics and practice in Australian and international industries in relation to their own writing practice. |
| c. | Identify and develop professional skills required within the writing industry (e.g. applying for funding, pitching, or finding representation) appropriate to their practice. |
| d. | Understand and be able to discuss their own writing in relation to the Australian writing industry 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:
- Write to a publishable standard across a range of genres, demonstrating an advanced understanding of the appropriate use of different writing forms (1.1)
- Understand, reproduce and experiment with genre and form (2.1)
- Locate and evaluate an extensive range of sources in literary practice (2.2)
- Convey complex ideas in writing clearly and effectively to specialist and non-specialist audiences, across a range of media formats (6.1)
Teaching and learning strategies
Face-to-face (online) block classes will incorporate a range of teaching and learning strategies including short presentations, videos and podcasts, panels with industry practitioners, simulations, discussion of readings and student groupwork. These will be complemented by independent student reading and participation in online discussion in the online UTS site. Students will receive formative feedback via a short online quiz and discussion in the online UTS site in Week 3.
Content (topics)
In this subject students develop an understanding of the dynamic contemporary writing industry as they identify, develop and refine skills to develop their own writing practice. This subject maps the major features of the twenty-first century writing landscape, including key institutions (publishers, funding bodies), major issues and debates around ethics and citizenship within the writing community, and traditional and non-traditional career paths. Over the teaching session students have the opportunity to meet with industry professionals. They develop a portfolio of industry-appropriate professional documents (e.g. a funding proposal, a budget, a letter to an agent) and research a publication plan for a major work.
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Brief project outline
| Objective(s): | a, c and d | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight: | 10% | ||||||||||||||||
| Length: | 800 words | ||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Assessment task 2: Professional Document Portfolio
| Objective(s): | a, b, c and d | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight: | 50% | ||||||||||||||||
| Length: | 2000 words (or equivalent). | ||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Assessment task 3: Project Plan
| Objective(s): | a, b, c and d | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight: | 40% | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Length: | 2000 words | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Minimum requirements
Students must submit all assessment tasks as each task assesses different knowledge and/or skills towards meeting Subject Learning Objectives and Course Intended Learning Outcomes, either individually or in combination. Students who do not submit all assessment tasks will fail the subject.
Required texts
Available in readings lists via CANVAS
Recommended texts
Available in readings lists via CANVAS