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Writing Fiction for Young People (CWRI90009)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5Not available in 2021
Please refer to the return to campus page for more information on these delivery modes and students who can enrol in each mode based on their location.
Overview
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This subject will explore writing children's, middle grade and young adult fiction. Students will critically engage with texts from these relatively new literary genres, examine issues of ethics, diversity, representation, identity, voice, and creatively navigate the spaces between childhood and adulthood. Exploring the historical development, trends, characteristics and common misconceptions of writing for young people, this subject will place children's, middle grade and young adult literature in the broader context of literary criticism and cultural studies.
Intended learning outcomes
On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:
- apply advanced theoretical, aesthetic and analytic skills to interpreting critical and creative texts;
- tackle new problems in the production and reception of young adult literature with confidence and openness to contemporary artistic directions;
- have a sound working knowledge of themes and conventions of contemporary young adult literature; and
- participate effectively in group discussions and collaborative learning; and demonstrate an understanding of the wider public significance of their knowledge and skills.
Generic skills
Students who successfully complete this subject will gain the following generic skills:
- critical thinking and analysis;
- the ability to think creatively;
- an openness to new ideas;
- written communication;
- communicating thoughts and knowledge;
- time management and planning; and
- practices and ethics in the field of creative writing.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Admission into or selection of one of the following:
- D01LF Master of Creative Writing, Publishing and Editing
- Creative Writing specialisation (formal) in the BH-ARTS Bachelor of Arts (Degree with Honours)
- Creative Writing specialisation (formal) in the GC-ARTS Graduate Certificate in Arts
- Creative Writing specialisation (formal) in the GD-ARTS Graduate Diploma in Arts
- Creative Writing specialisation (formal) in the GDA-ARTS Graduate Diploma in Arts (Advanced)
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
CWRI20002 | Short Fiction | Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
CWRI30001 | Novels | Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Assessment
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
An essay on analysing a key text of either children's, middle grade or young adult literature which incorporates literary criticism and cultural theory.
| Mid semester | 40% |
Creative work
| During the examination period | 60% |
Hurdle requirement: Students are required to attend a minimum of 80% of classes in order to pass the subject and regular class participation is expected. | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
Not available in 2021
Time commitment details
170 hours
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Mary Kole, Writing Irresistible Kidlit: The Ultimate Guide to Crafting Fiction for Young Adult and Middle Grade Readers
Suzanne Collins, The Hunger Games, Scholastic Australia, 2009
Aunty Joy Murphy & Andrew Kelly, Wilam: A Birrarung Story, Black Dog 2019
There will also be readings available through the LMS electronic site for this subject.
Recommended texts and other resources
- P Hunt, Children’s Literature: the Development of Criticism, Routledge, 1990.
- K Reynolds, Radical Children’s Literature: Future Visions and Aesthetic Transformations in Juvenile Fiction, Palgrave Macmillan, 2007.
- J Kristeva, Powers of Horror, Columbia University Press, 1982.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Master of Creative Writing, Publishing and Editing Specialisation (formal) Creative Writing Specialisation (formal) Creative Writing Specialisation (formal) Creative Writing Informal specialisation PD-ARTS Creative Writing - Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Additional information for this subject
Subject coordinator approval required
Last updated: 3 November 2022