Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences: Writing and Contemporary Cultures
Credit points: 8 cp
Result Type: Grade, no marks

Requisite(s): 57041 Advanced Narrative Writing OR 57031 Non-fiction Writing OR 57142 Writing for the Screen OR 50359 Screenwriting OR 50309 Advanced Screenwriting
These requisites may not apply to students in certain courses.
There are also course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.

Handbook description

This subject addresses the theoretical and practical aspects of critical writing in the key creative and professional genres: literary journalism, essay writing, reviewing (particularly book reviewing) and literary criticism. Students are introduced to examples of critical writing in magazines and journals as well as in the major newspapers, and are encouraged to engage with the nature of informed critical reading in relation to contemporary writing.

The subject aims to increase understanding of how appropriate critical writing responds to significant literary issues, and how it may usefully contribute to debate over these issues.

This subject includes examination of significant literary or cultural topics, focusing on specific texts or authors (e.g. the history–fiction debate, the Norma Khouri affair) and the writing of a profile, essay or review article demonstrating an understanding of and engagement with the institutional, publishing and media context in which critical writing is produced.

Subject objectives/outcomes

At the end of this subject students will be able to:

1. Appreciate the requirements of critical writing for different contexts
2. Compose book and/or film reviews for a variety of publications
3. Produce a longer piece of professional critical writing on a subject of their own choice
4. Understand and apply research skills to professional critical writing
5. Apply constructive criticism to their own work and that of their peers
6. Prepare and present their work in accordance with industry standards and expectations.

Contribution to graduate profile

This subject:

• Increases understanding of critical essay writing/reviewing/profiling
• Enhances specific skills in critical writing
• Encourages students' critical and creative thought
• Encourages practical understanding of literary and cultural criticism
• Provides a basis for the development of professional writing skills.

Teaching and learning strategies

Classes will consist of informal lectures and discussion of a topic based upon readings provided in class handouts and in the set texts. All students will be required to participate in these discussions. In addition, students will undertake class exercises and participate in workshopping to develop specific skills in the field of critical professional writing, initially concentrating on literary journalism and book reviewing from a number of different perspectives. By the mid-semester break students will have produced some draft work for the major project in their Assessment Portfolio, which will be handed in for assessment and feedback. The second part of the semester will broaden to include music, television and film criticism and will continue with workshopping of students' portfolio of work, especially their major projects.

Attendance at the Sydney Writers' Festival may replace the class for the corresponding week and will in any case be requested; this will be followed up by informal class presentations and 'debriefing' the next week.

Content

Critical Writing provides a context in which cultural and literary theories may be examined and furthered, and it extends the critical and nonfictional writing skills that have been established in the core subjects. This emphasis upon the nexus between theory and practice is reflected in the class exercises and the Assessment Portfolio, which require students' written work to be responsive to ideas regarding the place and production of literary and cultural debate. Students will be encouraged to conceive, structure and direct their assignment work in accordance with the wider literary context and also in a manner that might lead to publication. Assignment work will consist of a number of different tasks.

Short tasks

• short book reviews (100-200 words)
• standard book/film reviews (800 words)
• review articles (1200-1500 words)

Long tasks

• cultural or literary essay writing (2000-3000 words)
• literary profiles of authors/creative producers (1500-2000 words)
• cultural/literary case studies (2000-3000 words)

The word length for these tasks reflects standard requirements and students will be expected to adhere to them strictly. Reviews of books and films will be of set texts provided to the students and these titles will not be negotiable.

Assessment

Assessment Portfolio Stage 1

Objectives	1, 2, 4, 5
Due	Week 8
Value	35%
Task	To select a task or tasks from the overall assessment requirements and submit approx 1500-1800 words of work in progress.

Assessment Portfolio Stage 2

Objectives	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Due	Week 14
Value	65%
Task	To submit a portfolio of work totalling approx 5000 words, containing one longer piece as outlined above and based upon class workshopping and discussion with the lecturer.This will include work already submitted as work-in-progress (and revised) for Assessment item 1.
Assessment criteria	Demonstrated ability to: Write clearly, fluently and persuasively Engage and maintain the reader's attention Write to different publication standards (eg: newspaper, academic journal) using expression, language etc suitable for the context Express opinions and/or reveal characteristics about the topic/subject new to the reader (ie find an original angle on the chosen topic) Be flexible in conception and approach to the topic/subject Adhere to required word lengths.

Minimum requirements

Students are expected to read the subject outline to ensure they are familiar with the subject requirements. Since class discussion and participation in activities form an integral part of this subject, you are expected to attend, arrive punctually and actively participate in classes. If you experience difficulties meeting this requirement, please contact your lecturer. Students who have a reason for extended absence (e.g., illness) may be required to complete additional work to ensure they achieve the subject objectives.

Indicative references

TEXTS & BIBLIOGRAPHY [to be finalised]

The lecturer will distribute handouts in class consisting of samples of reviews, essays, articles, etc. These handouts will form the basis of the readings and discussions each week. In addition students will choose titles from a list of set texts for the purposes of reviewing.

Books for review will be recent titles and widely available eg:

• Grenville, Kate. 2005, The Secret River, Text Publishing, Melbourne.
• Sherbourne, Craig. 2005, Hoi Polloi, Black Inc, Melbourne.
• Coetzee, JM, 2007, Diary of A Bad Year, Random House, Sydney
• O'Conner, Andrew. 2006, Tuvalu, Allen and Unwin, Sydney
• Hearn, Lian, 2007, Heven's Net is Wide, Sydney 2007
• De Kretser Michelle, 2007, The Lost Dog, Allen and Unwin, Sydney

Films for review:

• Kenny, 2006
• remainder TBC

Books for research/reference

• Bennie, Angela (ed & intro). 2006, Crème de la Phlegm, Miegunyah Press, Melbourne
• Curthoys, Anne & Docker, J. 2006, Is History Fiction?, UNSW Press, Sydney
• Dessaix, Robert. 1998, (and so forth), Picador, Sydney
• Harrison, Martin. 2004, Who Wants to Create Australia?, Halstead, Sydney
• Khouri, Norma. 2003, Forbidden Love, Bantam, Sydney.
• Macintyre, Stuart & Clark, A. 2003, The History Wars, MUP, Melbourne
• Windschuttle, Keith. 2002, The Fabrication of Aboriginal History Macleay Press, Sydney.

Publications for research/reference

• Australian Book Review (published monthly)
• Best Australian Essays 2005 (ed Robert Dessaix) Black Inc Press
• Quarterly Essay: www.quartlerlyessay.com
• Griffth Review (published quarterly)
• Meanjin (published quarterly)
• Southerly (published quarterly)
• Sydney Morning Herald Spectrum (published weekly)
• Weekend Australian Review (published weekly).
• Australian Literary Review (first Wednesday each month in The Australian).

Other resources

RESOURCE IMPLICATIONS:

• DVD/Video facilities
• UTS Website and Library Catalogue/Databases
• UTS Online facilities