Creative Writing: Of the Personal: Emotions and the Self in Creative Non-Fiction CRWRT5048

  • Academic Session: 2024-25
  • School: School of Critical Studies
  • Credits: 20
  • Level: Level 5 (SCQF level 11)
  • Typically Offered: Either Semester 1 or Semester 2
  • Available to Visiting Students: No
  • Collaborative Online International Learning: No

Short Description

In this course, dedicated to the exploration of the form and function of creative non-fiction, students will engage in close-readings of a range of primary texts, from short-form essays to book-length projects. Secondary reading in the form of affect and cultural theory will offer focused critical lenses through which to discuss the thematic and linguistic elements of the primary texts, thus allowing students to deconstruct authors' expressions - or performances - of emotions and the self. Seminars will each be themed around a particular affect and/or affective state (e.g. disgust, joy, nostalgia, envy, intimacy, etc.), with the workshop half of the sessions addressing texts created by students in response to the set primary and secondary materials for that week.

Timetable

10 x 2hr sessions as scheduled on MyCampus

Requirements of Entry

Standard entry to Masters at College level

Excluded Courses

None

Co-requisites

None.

Assessment

■ Pamphlet-length text (5000 words) - 90%

■ Seminar and workshop contributions - 10%

Are reassessment opportunities available for all summative assessments? No

Reassessments are normally available for all courses, except those which contribute to the Honours classification. Where, exceptionally, reassessment on Honours courses is required to satisfy professional/accreditation requirements, only the overall course grade achieved at the first attempt will contribute to the Honours classification. For non-Honours courses, students are offered reassessment in all or any of the components of assessment if the satisfactory (threshold) grade for the overall course is not achieved at the first attempt. This is normally grade D3 for undergraduate students and grade C3 for postgraduate students. Exceptionally it may not be possible to offer reassessment of some coursework items, in which case the mark achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade. Any such exceptions for this course are described below. 

 

Time-bound seminar and workshop contributions cannot be reassessed.

Course Aims

This course aims to:

■ Enable students to identify the unique features of Creative Non-Fiction texts (as distinct from other literary genres)

■ Enable students to analyse, via the critical frameworks offered by Affect and Cultural Theory, the linguistic and thematic aspects of Creative Non-Fiction texts

■ Provide students with advanced critical reading, creative writing and research skills through discussions, close readings and writing exercises

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ Articulate the parameters of the Creative Non-Fiction genre

■ Offer sophisticated interpretations of a number of Creative Non-Fiction texts

■ Evaluate and apply advanced concepts from Affect and Cultural Theory in the analysis and evaluation of literary texts

■ Consider the psychological-compositional processes involved in the creation of Creative Non-Fiction texts

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment