Programme Specifications

NAWE Creative Writing Subject Benchmark statement (2008) and underging review against QAA Creative Writing (2016)

• September 2023

September 2023

• To provide students with a grounding in the range of approaches developed for understanding mediated communication, from their foundations in linguistic and visual communication to specific modes of communication in, for instance, journalism, advertising, different kinds of writing, and the current transformations of these in digital environments

• To bring these to bear specifically on current developments in new media, paying attention to processes of globalisation, and convergence and their implications

• To develop in students the knowledge and abilities to be able to consider critically and productively the role of traditional and new media in contemporary social and political processes

• To develop in students a range of skills and understandings that will enable them to take up employment within the wide range of jobs and industries concerned with the production, organisation, storage, distribution and use of mediated knowledge and communication

gain a knowledge of the history, culture and theories of literature by studying a range of primary texts of different genres from different historical periods.

develop a systematic understanding of knowledge, and a critical awareness of current literary problems and/or new insights, which are at the forefront of critical and theoretical debates.

explore the relationships between texts, and between texts and their contexts

develop the ability to write an originally conceived and sustained piece of research

become self-reflective readers of literary and theoretical texts

develop their own critical voice

become independent learners who can use a broad range of reference tools, assimilate and appraise substantial amounts of information, and address, define, and solve problems

develop an ability to arrive at independent conclusions and make judgements

develop an ability to express themselves clearly in speech and in writing

develop their own interests and manage their own learning through their choice of options

develop a broad repertoire of writing techniques

develop a responsiveness to the writerly demands made by subject matter, audience, genre, and style

develop the ability to work in a sustained and cumulative way on a writing project over an extended period of time

develop the ability to compose, revise, edit, sub-edit and finalise a piece of writing as part of a regular work routine

develop good habits of sustained, self-critical, and active engagement with chosen subject matter, including creative, imaginative, and transactional writing tasks

develop the ability to produce originally conceived and effective written work

gain a knowledge of the history, culture and theories of writing by studying a range of primary texts of different genres from different historical periods

develop a systematic understanding of knowledge, and a critical awareness of current problems and/or new insights, which are at the forefront of critical and theoretical debates about writing

explore the relationships between texts, and between texts and their contexts

investigate how different theories contribute to the practices of writing

become reflective readers of literary and theoretical texts

become independent practitioners and learners able to address, define and solve problems

develop an ability to arrive at independent conclusions and make judgements

develop an ability to express themselves clearly in speech and in writing

develop their own critical and creative voices

develop their own interests and manage their own learning

• Key concepts and theories of communication and mass communication

• The role of media in the history of communication

• Contemporary transformations of mediated communication associated with globalisation, digitisation and media convergence

• The role of mediated communication within specific (e.g. political) situations

The successful student will have gained a knowledge and understanding of:

A1 their own writing practice, in terms of a reflective self-awareness of some of their own strengths and characteristics as a writer.

A2 the variety of options available to writers in presenting subject matter, and some of the effects of choosing one option rather than another

A3 some of the theories (for instance, of genre, register, rhetoric, and audience) which influence writing practice.

A4 key relevant aspects of the relations between texts, and between texts and their contexts

A5 a range of different literary genres from different historical periods

A6 a range of theories and debates about literature across different historical period

A7 the relations between texts, and between texts and their contexts

A8 the major theoretical issues associated with literature from different period.

• The ability to examine critically a wide range of communication situations and forms, exploring their history, meanings and implications

• The ability to seek and to draw upon a wide range of sources

• The ability to measure critically the status and strength of knowledge-claims

• The ability to apply course-derived understandings to current social and political policy-debates

• The ability to analyse forms of language and visual communication for their complex meanings

• The ability to use a range of digital media and software applications, with due attention to issues of purpose and audience address

Intellectual Skills:

The successful student will develop an ability to:

B1 Analyse and interpret a variety of texts

B2 exercise independent thought and judgement, and demonstrate self-direction in tackling and solving problems

B3 engage critically and self-reflectively with complex material, major concepts, and assess the significance of key literary thinkers

B4 interrogate and apply a variety of theoretical perspectives

B5 present sustained persuasive and coherent arguments

B6 communicate the results of their studies clearly and articulately

B7 plan and organise work and present work to deadlines

Teaching, learning and assessment methods used to enable outcomes to be achieved and demonstrated:

Seminars and workshops are used to develop these skills, which are assessed by independently devised and researched coursework assignments and a dissertation.

Practical skills

The successful student will develop:

C1 research skills, including the ability to analyse issues and theories, to assimilate, select and organise relevant material, and to use a variety of research tools in paper and on-line formats

C2 writing skills, including competence in structuring and presenting arguments, word-processing skills, and the ability to used recognised presentational skills, including bibliographical and notational conventions

C3 an ability to work in groups

C4 time and task management, initiative, and personal responsibility

C5 independent learning ability required for continuing professional development

Teaching, learning and assessment methods used to enable outcomes to be achieved and demonstrated:

core skills-based modules

student presentations

preparation for written assignments

essay writing

seminars with small-group components

independent study

extended research skill

Assessment

coursework assignments

essays on topics to be devised by the student

orally presented research papers

dissertation of writing project

During the course of and on completion of this scheme, the following transferable skills will be fostered:

• Oral and written communication will be developed through a range of assessed and non-assessed tasks. Students will be expected to produce a wide range of written work, from traditional academic essays and examinations to notebooks of reflective practice. Oral communication will be developed in seminar and workshop contexts, where the students will be expected to prepare and deliver presentations on set topics and discuss issues (both theoretical and in relation to certain texts/media), as well work towards the production of websites, short films etc. through practical modules.

• Personal initiative will form a key element in the successful completion of this scheme. Students will be expected to formulate their own work routine and demonstrate self-discipline and planning by meeting deadlines. Scope for following personal interests and developing creativity will also be allowed in some modules, where students will be able to formulate their own assignment tasks (based on the approval of the module co-ordinator) or produce films/websites on topics of their choosing.

• Many of the modules, particularly those that involve a 'practical' element, will require the students to work in teams. Further collaboration will be encouraged during seminar contexts where students will need to work collaboratively on set mini-tasks.

• Other transferable skills will include competent use of ICTs and other technologies. Students will be expected to word process their written work, regularly access e-mail, find and retrieve information on-line (as well as in the library context) and operate production/editing equipment.

• Students will have the opportunity to develop and apply a range of research skills

The successful student will develop an ability to:

D1 analyse issues and theories

D2 research, assimilate, select and organise relevant material using a variety of research tools in paper an on-line formats

D3 sustain academic writing across an extended assignment

D4 structure and present cogent and substantiated arguments that are complex and nuanced

D5 work as part of a group or team

D6 manage their time effectively

D7 produce word-processed documents to a high standard

Teaching, learning and assessment methods used to enable outcomes to be achieved and demonstrated:

student presentations

group work

seminars in 'workshop' format

independent study

essay writing

extended research

Assessment:

coursework assignment

essays on topics to be devised by the student

orally presented research paper

dissertation/writing project

Teaching, learning and assessment methods used to enable outcomes to be achieved and demonstrated:

tutor-and-student-led workshops and seminars

encouragement of methods of working on longer pieces which incorporate on-going processes of composition, reflection, revision, and feedback

encouragement of habits of 'articulated practice', for instance, in the form of reflective working diaries and the acquisition of relevant theoretical ideas and terms

Assessment:

module assignments

writing portfolio

oral presentations