Programme Specifications

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

September 2023

To enable successful students to:  

• 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

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• 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

The programme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding, skills, qualities and other attributes in the following areas:

• The programme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding, skills, qualities and other attributes in the following areas.

Successful students will have gained a knowledge and understanding of:

A1    a range of different literary genres from different historical periods

A2    a range of theories and debates about literature across different historical periods

A3    the relations between texts, and between texts and their contexts

A4    the major theoretical issues associated with literature from different periods

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

The design of the programme, which has a central core on Bibliographical and Textual issues, and Methodological problems in History and Theory and a range of options, ensures that all students are introduced to the major issues of literary study.

Teaching and Learning

the provision of core modules which are skills-based, with a specific focus on the extension of research skills

student presentations

seminars with small-group work components

independent study

Assessment

coursework assignments

essays on topics to be devised by the student

orally presented research paper

dissertation

·         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.

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 use 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

Teaching and learning

core skills-based modules

student presentations

preparation for written assignments

essay writing

seminars with small-group work components

independent study

extended research skills

Assessment

coursework assignments

essays on topics to be devised by the student

orally presented research paper

dissertation

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 thea bility 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

Transferable/Key skills

D1    ability to analyse issues and theories

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

D3    extended writing skills

D4    competence in structuring and presenting arguments

D5    an ability to work in groups

D6    time and task management and personal responsibility

D7    word-processing skills 

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

Teaching and learning

student presentations

group work

seminars in 'workshop' format

independent study

essay writing

extended research 

Assessment

coursework assignments

essays on topics to be devised by the student

orally presented research paper

dissertation

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