Narrative and Theory

Description

Based on practice, and oriented towards the production of writing, this subject focuses on the large field of narrative theory and its essential elements. Students study and practise aspects of narrative, including point of view, temporality, mimesis and diegesis, and story and plot development. A range of narrative theory and writing is studied and discussed, integrating practical work with critical reflection and enabling students to produce a critical essay on theory along with a piece of narrative writing.

Subject objectives

a. Write using creative and imaginative practices

b. Analyse and edit critically

c. Reflect on the complexities of narrative theory and the application of theory to practice

d. Apply theoretical approaches to their own writing

Contribution to the development of graduate attributes

This subject addresses the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes:

1. Professional Readiness

1.1 Graduates possess a well-developed awareness of professional practices and methods appropriate to all forms of creative writing, including fiction, non-fiction, film, poetry and television

2. Critical and Creative Inquiry

2.1 Graduates are reflexive critical thinkers and creative practitioners who are intellectually curious, imaginative, and innovative

2.2 Graduates possess well-developed critical and creative inquiry skills that demonstrate historical awareness and the ability to understand, reproduce and experiment within existing genres

6. Effective Communication

6.1 Graduates possess well-developed skills and proficiencies to respond and communicate effectively and appropriately across different contexts and platforms including oral, digital and other forms of written communication.

Teaching and learning strategies

Face to face classes in the first half of semester incorporate a diverse range of teaching and learning strategies including lectures, pair presentations, analysis of readings and small group discussions. Students will be also asked to present to the class a seminar on a literary movement and analyse an example from a chosen text that represents this literary movement. The class will then provide feedback. In the second half of the semester these teaching strategies will be further complemented by group workshopping and peer feedback.

Content

This subject contextualizes writing by examining literary movements and narrative theory. It involves the study and analysis of narrative theory and its application to the students? own practice. It covers a trajectory from early epic narratives through to the rise of the novel, realist representation, narrative and time, modernism and the cinema, postmodernism, and narrative and technology.

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Theory Presentation

Objective(s):

a, b and c

Weight: 20%

Length:

5-10 min presentation

Criteria linkages:

Criteria Weight (%) SLOs CILOs

Depth of analysis 30 b 2.1

Application of theory 30 c 2.2

Clarity of expression 20 a 6.1

Relevance of sources 20 b 1.1

SLOs: subject learning objectives

CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Assessment task 2: Theoretical Essay

Objective(s):

a, b, c and d

Weight: 20%

Length:

Up to 1,000 words

Criteria linkages:

Criteria Weight (%) SLOs CILOs

Clarity of expression 15 a 6.1

Depth of analysis 40 b 2.1

Accuracy of research 20 c 1.1

Relevance of sources used 25 d 2.2

SLOs: subject learning objectives

CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Assessment task 3: Narrative and Theory

Objective(s):

a, b, c and d

Weight: 60%

Length:

Maximum 3000 words

Criteria linkages:

Criteria Weight (%) SLOs CILOs

Clarity of expression 20 c 6.1

Originality or strength of idea 20 a 1.1

Depth of analysis 20 b, d 2.1

Creativity 40 c, d 2.2

SLOs: subject learning objectives

CILOs: course intended learning outcomes