Writing Women: Feminism in Poetry and Prose - Part 2

Overview

An accompaniment to Writing Women Part 1, this module will continue to explore the various ways in which feminism can be translated to creative writing. In Part 2, we will continue to build on the foundations of what was covered in Part 1, and place further emphasis on critical theory, with students analysing extracts from texts such as Simone De Beauvoir’s 'The Second Sex.' Through prompts and writing exercises, students will challenge misogynistic portrayals of women in creative work, bring the marginalised to the forefront, and give voice to the silenced.

Programme

Each week’s topic will encompass reading of selected texts, analysis and discussion, followed by writing exercises (poetry and prose).

Sessions will cover the following:

• Unit 1. Introduction | presentation and discussion of feminism in literature and brief recap
  of what was covered in Part 1
• Unit 2. The Victorian Woman | a look at literary representations of women in Victorian
  fiction
• Unit 3. The Victorian Woman 2 | This week, we will continue to explore the Victorian woman, concentrating on Edith Nesbit’s ‘Man Size in Marble’
• Unit 4. The Madwoman in the Attic | writing in response to theory (Gilbert and Gubart)
• Unit 5. For Women who are Difficult to Love | in this session we will analyse a series of poems which position women at their centre, beginning with ‘For Women who are Difficult to Love’ by Warsan Shire
• Unit 6. Confessional Women | In this session, we will explore the power of the confessional poem and diaries, reconnecting with who we are as women and how we can reclaim the power of our own voices.
• Unit 7. Women and myth | This week will consider the voices of women in mythology, exploring the ways women of myth can speak back to the stories that made them known.
• Unit 8. Women in Pop Culture | an exploration of the recent shift in narrative around women’s roles in popular culture, including consideration of song lyrics (including Paris Paloma, ‘Too Much Labour’)

Learning Outcomes 

1. Demonstrate a specific understanding of what feminism constitutes within a literary context
2. Demonstrate an ability to write with nuance about female characters
3. Produce a portfolio of writing assembled over the course of the module
4. Produce a piece of written work for assessment
5. Engage with, analyse and discuss selected texts
6. Discuss development of own and others’ writing through workshopping and feedback

Assessments

• Discussion Boards - 500 Words (20%)
• Written Assignment - 1500 Words (80%)

Reading Suggestions

Charlotte Bronte, Jane Eyre, (Penguin, 2006)

Entry Requirements

This course is for everyone. No previous experience is needed and there are no formal entry requirements.

What do I Need

As this is an online course, you would need the following: 

• Internet access.
  
• Access to a laptop or computer with a web camera and microphone; the use of headphones might also be of benefit.
• Use of the Chrome web-browser where possible.