📖Program Curriculum
The underlying aim of this course is to provide a nurturing supportive creative space to hone your craft where you can collaborate with like-minded individuals explore new ideas experiment with language and learn to arrange words in new and exciting ways.
Teaching and extra-curricular activities are focused on improving your writing to bring it up to a publishable standard – from the 1:1 feedback from your portfolio supervisor to seminars workshops writing competitions and open mic nights. You’ll be able to listen to others and present your own work giving and receiving constructive criticism from a friendly community of writers who are learning alongside you.
The MA Creative Writing can be studied as either a one-year full-time or two-year part-time course with start dates in September and January. You will complete 180 credits comprising two optional modules (60 credits) one workshop-based which corresponds to your eventual portfolio medium and two compulsory core modules (a total of 120 credits).
The core modules include the substantive Portfolio module which provides an an exciting opportunity to work under the supervision of an expert in your chosen genre (poetry fiction or life writing). Where possible you’ll be allocated your supervisor at the beginning of the programme allowing regular consultation and feedback throughout the duration of your studies.
The course can also be studied on a modular basis with individual modules taken as CPD short courses with the option to be subsequently counted towards a full MA.
Core Taught Modules
SEMESTER 1
ENG-40018 The Writer as Critic The Critic as Writer (30 credits)
This compulsory module considers the critical process of reading other writers’ work looking at what influences our writing and the impact of the cultural context in which writers live and work. Examining the relationship between writing and different modes of literary and cultural criticism you will study contemporary examples of script poetry and fiction alongside ‘critical’ texts like Walter Benjamin's "Unpacking My Library" and Cora Kaplan's "The Thorn Birds". You’ll be encouraged to consider ways in which critics write and writers critique presenting on key areas of debate in contemporary culture as well as the critical questions thrown up in your own research and work. You will produce a critical 3500-word essay on any topic relating to contemporary literature or culture involving literary or cultural criticism or both. Past topics have included poetry and location autobiography and culture fashion and femininity and have included semi-autobiographical elements fictional dialogues and philosophical speculation.
SEMESTER 2
ENG-40023 Portfolio (90 credits)
Equivalent to the dissertation-level project on traditional degree programmes your final submission is the development of a portfolio of original writing to a professional standard. The module is taught through a series of regular individual and/or small group supervision meetings which enable you to review your progress discuss your ideas writing plans and structure and get advice on reading research and writing. You are required to produce either a complete piece of written work or a substantial component such as a collection of poetry or short stories a short novel or a substantial part of a longer novel.
Optional Modules
You will choose two from four optional modules studying one in Semester 1 and another in Semester 2.
ENG-40020 Writing Poetry (30 credits)
Taught through a series of intensive workshops studying alongside other practitioners this module aims to develop both your poetry and your overall creative practice. You will explore contemporary practice in relation to the history of poetry giving you a better understanding of the forms and structures of modern poetry in order to guide your work.
ENG-40019 Writing Fiction (30 credits)
Focused on writing short fiction and novels this module gives you the opportunity to develop your prose writing techniques and professional practice supported by structured reading and peer/tutor feedback. Taking inspiration from the history style form and construction of prose you will practise different techniques and learn how to optimise the drafting and revising cycle within your future creative practice.
ENG-40031 Life Writing (30 credits)
The last few years have seen the publication of major autobiographical and biographical works in Britain and the United States as well as a surge of academic interest in life writing. Responding to the growing interest in life writing this module encourages you to reflect creatively and analytically on the nature history and techniques of autobiographical biographical and memoir writing. During weekly two-hour seminars and workshops you will discuss selected passages drawn from classic (Augustine Rousseau Mill Gosse) and more recent works (Sage Diski Slater Hamilton-Paterson and many others). You will plan develop and discuss ideas and outputs in order to develop creative skills including drafting and editing.
ENG-40041 The Writer in the Community (30 credits)
If you are interested in gaining real-life practical experience of the cultural landscape in which writers typically work this optional project-based module gives you the chance to participate in a 12-week project within our local community. Possible projects include: designing and delivering creative writing workshops; mentoring less experienced writers; steering a literary editing project; setting up and putting on a literary event; or creating a web-based literary resource. Recently for example students have created audio poetry experiences linked to natural spaces and one read poetry at a car boot sale.
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