Serial Storytelling (CWRI40017)
HonoursPoints: 12.5Not available in 2023
To learn more, visit 2023 Course and subject delivery.
About this subject
Overview
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Students will read a range of fictional and non-fictional serial narratives written in the late 20 th and early 21 st centuries for newspapers, radio, film and television, such as Maupin’s Tales of the City books, Miller’s Mad Max films, or Breaking Bad. Students will analyse these texts with a focus on the relationship between serial distribution and storytelling form, and with particular attention given to historical transformations and new developments. Students will also read critical approaches to serial narrative concentrating on textual forms, genre, criticism, technologies of production and distribution, industrial formations of production and distribution, cultural contexts, and modes of audience engagement. Students will work to devise a concept outline for an original serial narrative for print, audio or screen (e.g. television series or podcast series), and write selected installments.
This subject is only available to students admitted to the Bachelor of Arts Honours (Creative Writing), Graduate Diploma in Arts (Advanced) Creative Writing, the Master of Creative Writing, Publishing and Editing, Master of Global Media Communications, Master of Marketing Communications, or the Master of Arts and Cultural Management.
Intended learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this subject will:
- Gain knowledge of the development of a serialised story concept, including devising the long-form concept, pitching the work, workshopping, drafting and structuring, and the preparation of selected installments;
- Develop, through workshopping and completion of assessment tasks, an understanding of the concepts, conditions and history that underpin the development of serial storytelling;
- Have a complex, comparative understanding of serial storytelling formations for various media and in different historical circumstances;
- Evaluate serialised stories in various media within a broader context and with understanding of the concepts, conditions and history that underpin the development of serial storytelling;
- Have the ability to workshop, analyse and give constructive feedback on story concepts and drafts for long-form stories in a range of media;
- Demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of the mechanics of serialised storytelling, including segmentation, story arcs, multilinear stories and character development;
- Gain a deeper understanding of the vocational possibilities in serialised storytelling, and be able to articulate an advanced understanding of industrial and creative contexts for their own long-form stories.
Generic skills
Students who successfully complete this subject will be able to:
- Analyse and evaluate a variety of texts;
- Participate in discussion and group activities and increase their creative and critical skills through workshopping and collaboration;
- Independently devise and articulate a creative work in both verbal and written modes; and
- Conceptualise, prepare and present their creative projects at an advanced level.
Last updated: 10 November 2023
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
It is recommended that students have some background in creative writing, as the main assignment in this subject is creative.
Completion of subjects in creative writing at undergraduate level would be a distinct advantage.
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: 10 November 2023
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Critical blog
| From Week 3 to Week 12 | 40% |
Pitch (short oral presentation and one page synopsis)
| From Week 4 to Week 6 | 20% |
Revised pitch and selected installments
| End of semester | 40% |
All required written work must be submitted in order to pass the subject. Hurdle requirement: This subject has a minimum requirement of (or at least) 80% attendance at tutorials, seminars, or workshops. There is an expectation that students attend lectures, in person or via online delivery. All pieces of assessment must be submitted to pass this subject. For the purposes of meeting this hurdle requirement, each submitted assessment must be complete and constitute a genuine attempt to address the requirements of the task. (Complete not less than 50% of word count) | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
Additional details
Note:
Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 2% per working day.
Last updated: 10 November 2023
Dates & times
Not available in 2023
Time commitment details
170 hours
Last updated: 10 November 2023
Further information
- Texts
- 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 - 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.
Please note Single Subject Studies via Community Access Program is not available to student visa holders or applicants
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
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
Last updated: 10 November 2023