SJ3003 - Introduction to Creative Genre and Criticism (2024/25)
| Module specification | Module approved to run in 2024/25 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Module title | Introduction to Creative Genre and Criticism | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Module level | Foundation (03) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Credit rating for module | 30 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| School | School of Art, Architecture and Design | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total study hours | 300 | ||||||||||||||||||||
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| Assessment components |
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| Running in 2024/25(Please note that module timeslots are subject to change) |
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Module summary
In this module, you will study the three main forms of creative writing – prose, poetry, and script – and you will also explore the meaning and purpose of literary criticism. You will explore the work of creative writers and learn how to apply literary criticism to these texts to develop both your understanding of literature and your own creative practice. You will read a variety of writers, produce writing in response to assigned formative exercises, and learn editing skills to improve your writing. You will work with peers and teaching staff to develop an understanding of the connection between the discourse of literary criticism and the vibrant practice of creative writing.
Syllabus
Over the course of the year, students will explore, practise and develop their skills in each form of writing (poetry, prose, drama) over several weeks. They will have the opportunity to work in a number of different forms and genres through a variety of formative writing exercises. Students will look at the work of contemporary and canonical writers such as Bernardine Evaristo, Nikesh Shukla, Kevin Barry, and Hannah Lowe. (LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO6). Students will also be introduced to critical themes in contemporary criticism such as feminism, ecocriticism, postcolonialism and queer theory. (LO5, LO6). Students will engage in formative writing exercises and academic discussion in weekly workshop seminars. As part of these sessions, students will give and record feedback on one another’s writing (LO5); identify writing techniques in the work of published writers and apply these to their own work (LO6); discuss themes in literary criticism and apply these ideas to both the texts discussed on the module and the texts they produce. (LO4, LO5, LO6)
Balance of independent study and scheduled teaching activity
The module is delivered through tutor-led workshops (72 hours) with students contributing to discussion and group work. Students will also engage in ongoing guided self and online study to enable them to improve their reading and writing skills and complete required assessment components (156 hrs). Module information including module booklet and assessment details is available on WebLearn. Formative assignment and workshop tasks, reading resources, study support resources and weekly material are also on WebLearn. Students will be encouraged to explore digital resources on Talis, develop initial research strategies using databases, develop robust strategies for online research including reliability testing, explore the physical research resources in the ILRC, and develop understanding of archive-related resources (local borough and City of London Corporation library and research resources and archives).
Learning outcomes
LO1 Understand and develop your poetic writing skills
LO2 Understand and develop your prose writing skills
LO3 Understand and develop your script writing skills
LO4 Apply literary criticism and theory to literary texts
LO5 Develop reflection on the craft of creative writing through constructive feedback on others’ work
LO6 Reflect on the expressive and critical power of literature