Short Fiction (CWRI20002)

Undergraduate level 2Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)

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Overview

Availability
Semester 2
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In this subject, students will explore principles of the craft of writing short fiction, looking at individual narrative techniques such as material and form, plot, conflict and structure, character, point of view and style. Students will read a variety of short fiction texts from the beginning of the modernist era to contemporary fiction.

Intended learning outcomes

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:

  • Demonstrate a sophisticated and substantive understanding of recent developments and changes in published short fiction
  • Make independent and discerning application of the poetics of fiction-writing in producing their own pieces of short fiction
  • Understand through self-reflection and application of skills the context for influences, aims and aesthetic decisions underlying their own creative work
  • Interact effectively with peers in a semi-structured group in order to achieve group goals.

Generic skills

At the completion of this subject, students should gain the following generic skills:

  • Be able to apply analytic, independent, and critical skills to written texts
  • Apply problem-solving skills to creative and critical tasks
  • Complete written tasks to a high level of literacy and communication
  • Tackle unfamiliar problems with confidence and develop cognitive skills
  • Plan and develop their own work
  • Work effectively with others while respecting individual differences.

Last updated: 9 April 2025

Eligibility and requirements

Prerequisites

None

Corequisites

None

Non-allowed subjects

None

Recommended background knowledge

CWRI10001 Creative Writing: Ideas and Practice

Code Name Teaching period Credit Points
CWRI10001 Creative Writing: Poetry and Fiction
Semester 1 (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: 9 April 2025

Assessment

DescriptionTimingPercentage

Critical Response

  • 1500 words
Week 730%

A piece of original short fiction, including a 250 word contextualising statement.

  • 2500 words
End of semester60%

Participation in Tutorials throughout semester

During the teaching period10%
Hurdle requirement: 1. Attendance hurdle requirement: This subject has a minimum requirement of 80% attendance at tutorials, seminars, or workshops. There is an expectation that students attend lectures. Throughout the teaching periodN/A
Hurdle requirement: 2. Late Penalty and Assessment hurdle requirement: Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at five per cent (5%) of the possible marks available for the assessment task per day or part thereof. All pieces of assessment must be submitted to pass the subject. Each submitted assessment must be complete, constitute a genuine attempt to address the requirements of the task and will not be accepted after 20 University business days from the original assessment due date without written approval. Throughout the semesterN/A

Last updated: 9 April 2025

Dates & times

  • Semester 2
    CoordinatorsJulienne van Loon and Rachel Hennessy
    Mode of deliveryOn Campus (Parkville)
    Contact hoursTotal 32 hours: A one-hour lecture per week for the first eight weeks; a two-hour tutorial per week every week of semester.
    Total time commitment170 hours
    Teaching period22 July 2024 to 20 October 2024
    Last self-enrol date 2 August 2024
    Census date 2 September 2024
    Last date to withdraw without fail20 September 2024
    Assessment period ends15 November 2024

    Semester 2 contact information

    short-fiction@unimelb.edu.au

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: 9 April 2025

Further information

Last updated: 9 April 2025