Writing Fiction for Young People (CWRI90009)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5Dual-Delivery (Parkville)
To learn more, visit 2023 Course and subject delivery.
Overview
| Availability | Semester 2 - Dual-Delivery |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
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: 31 January 2024
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 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| CWRI30001 | Novels | Semester 2 (On Campus - 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: 31 January 2024
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: 31 January 2024
Dates & times
- Semester 2
Coordinator Eddie Paterson Mode of delivery Dual-Delivery (Parkville) Contact hours Total 24 hours: a 2-hour seminar per week throughout semester. Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 24 July 2023 to 22 October 2023 Last self-enrol date 4 August 2023 Census date 31 August 2023 Last date to withdraw without fail 22 September 2023 Assessment period ends 17 November 2023 Semester 2 contact information
Time commitment details
170 hours
What do these dates mean
Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:
- Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
- And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
- Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.
Last updated: 31 January 2024
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.
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
Last updated: 31 January 2024