Course Guide BA(Hons) Creative and Professional Writing ...€¦ · The MX Building MX 005 (01902) 321034 [email protected] Help and Advice is also available from Student

School of HumanitiesBA(Hons) Creative and Professional WritingCourse Guide

2017-18September

About this guide

This is your course guide. It provides the basic but fundamental information about your course of study. Thisguide is yours for the duration of the course, we don’t re-issue it annually and if any information containedwithin were to change then we will write to you to explain so.

In particular, if any important aspects relating to your modules were to change then we will inform you inaccordance with the Code of Practice for the Management of Changes to Modules and Courses. The teachingand support teams which you will get to know over time will refer to this guide – it will be useful to you andwe advise you to make good use of it throughout your studies.

The Course Guide should be read in conjunction with the more general sources of information which relate toall students at the University. The Student Handbook is a very detailed reference point for all issues relating toyour studies which aren’t specific to just your particular course. You might also want to refer to the StudentCharter; the University’s Policies and Regulations and the University Assessment Handbook documents whichwill provide you with all of the information that we think you will need for your period of study here.

If you need additional information, or you simply want to discuss elements of any of these documents or otheraspects of your course, find that there is something you need to know, please contact your Faculty StudentServices:

Faculty Student Services

We can help with the administration and organisation of your time at University – from enrolment andmodule registration, tuition fee enquiries, attendance support, course management and lifecycle queries,extenuating circumstances, leave of absence, transfers and changes, assignment submission, SAMsappointments, assessment and result queries, right through to Graduation.

You can also come and talk to us for impartial advice and support if things are starting to go wrong and you’renot sure who else to talk to. The main thing to remember is that you are not alone. We see large numbers ofstudents over the course of a year on a variety of issues, so please don’t be afraid to approach us.

We are here to ensure that your transition into Higher Education is as smooth as possible. Normal officeopening hours are Monday-Friday 08:45-17:00.

You can contact us through the e:vision help desk, by phone or in person or by e-mail:

Faculty of Arts (CityCampus)

The MX Building MX 005 (01902) 321034 [email protected]

Help and Advice is alsoavailable from StudentSupport & Wellbeing…

Contact us at the Alan TuringBuilding MI 001 for all enquiries andreferrals… Services operate at allcampuses by appointment.

(01902) 321074(01902) 321070

[email protected]@wlv.ac.uk

Welcome from the Course Leader

On behalf of the teaching and support teams from BA(Hons) Creative and Professional Writing course, I wouldlike to extend to you a very warm welcome to the University of Wolverhampton, and in particular yourcampus.

My name is Paul Mcdonald and I am the course leader for your BA(Hons) Creative and Professional Writingcourse and alongside your personal tutor, will be your main point of contact over the duration of your studies.My contact details are below – please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you need any support or guidance.

The successes which you will achieve whilst at the University are based upon a partnership between theexpertise and support from the staff here and the effort you put into learning. We welcome students who are

eager to think for themselves, to take control of their own learning and who are ready to get involved indeveloping the skills required in a highly competitive job market. Make the most of the wide range ofopportunities available to you.

Studying at University can be difficult, and for many of you the transition into University life will bechallenging. However we will support you throughout your course, particularly whilst you develop into anindependent learner over the course of your first year with us.

We believe it is important that you are encouraged to make your own contribution to the effective operationand development of your chosen course. We hope that you might consider acting a s a Course Representativeduring some of your time with us to help the University continue to improve your experience.

I would like to wish you every success with your studies. We look forward to working with you and hope thatyou enjoy your time with us.

Paul Mcdonald

Course Management and Staff Involvement

RoleRole NameName SpecialismSpecialism eMaileMail Tel. Ext.Tel. Ext. RoomRoom

Head of Department Dr Frank Wilson [email protected] 3478 MX103

Course Leader Dr Paul Mcdonald [email protected] 3452 MX103

Senior Lecturer Mrs Candi Miller [email protected] 3470 MX103

Senior Lecturer Ms Jacqlyn Pieterick [email protected] 3484 MX103

Educational Aims of the Course

The CPW degree provides an opportunity to develop your own talent for writing within a variety of creativeand professional writing contexts. The programme offers a supported, stimulating and multiculturalenvironment in which you can create, analyse and interpret different forms and styles of writing, allowing youto engage with relevant concepts and theories. The degree will enable you to communicate more effectively inwriting, and to enhance your own creative and critical judgement. You will also develop a range of subjectspecific and transferable skills, including higher order conceptual and communication skills, enterprise,digital literacy and IT awareness, all of which are of immense value in graduate employment.

What makes this programme distinctive?

The course is one of the few in the country to combine creative and professional writing (most excludethe former). Thus there is a real emphasis on employability.

The course is taught by published, award winning writers whose books cover a wide range of creative,professional and critical disciplines (fiction, poetry, journalism, critical writing and scholarship etc.).

All creative writing modules offer the opportunity for one-to-one tuition

Teaching on creative modules includes bespoke editorial feedback

Distinctive modules on such topics as humour writing, teaching writing, writing and place, crime andfantasy writing.

The course offers staff social events which include opportunities for students to perform their work inpublic

Course Structure

September (Full-Time)September (Full-Time)

Part time students study alongside full time students. However, they do not study more than 80 credits in eachacademic calendar year.

ModuleModule TitleTitle CreditsCredits PeriodPeriod TypeType Module LeaderModule Leader

4CW003 Craft of Writing 20 SEM1 Core Jacqlyn Pieterick

4CW002 Reading and Writing Poetry 20 SEM1 Core Paul Mcdonald

4CW001 Reading as a Writer 20 SEM2 Core Paul Mcdonald

4CW006 Telling Tales 20 SEM2 Core Candi Miller

Group 05 | Min Value: 20 | Max Value: 20Group 05 | Min Value: 20 | Max Value: 20

4HU001 Myth 20 SEM1 CoreOption

Gabriela Steinke

4HU003 From Student to Scholar 20 SEM1 CoreOption

Jacqlyn Pieterick

4WL002 Basic Language 20 SEM1 CoreOption

Jose Manuel Martinez

4WL003 Elementary Language 20 SEM1 CoreOption


4MZ001 Media, Culture and Society 20 SEM1 CoreOption

Stephen Jacobs


4HU003 From Student to Scholar 20 SEM2 CoreOption

Jacqlyn Pieterick





4FI001 Screen Analysis: Storytelling 20 SEM2 CoreOption

Robert Geal

4SL011 Volunteering in the Community 20 SEM2 CoreOption

Pauline Anderson

4HU002 Popular Culture 20 SEM2 CoreOption

Stephen Jacobs

5CW001 Humour Writing 20 SEM1 Core Paul Mcdonald

5CW004 Writing, Region and Identity 20 SEM1 Core Paul Mcdonald

5CW003 Life-Writing 20 SEM2 Core Jacqlyn Pieterick

5CW002 Writing Features 20 SEM2 Core Jacqlyn Pieterick


5HU003 Body, Sexuality and Identity 20 SEM1 CoreOption

William Pawlett

5HU001 The Enlightenment 20 SEM1 CoreOption

Stefano Pippa

5HU002 Popular Texts 20 SEM1 CoreOption

Gabriela Steinke





5EN005 Stylistics: Stories and Style 20 SEM1 CoreOption

Deborah Orpin

5DM041 Screenwriting 20 SEM1 CoreOption

Phil Nichols


5EN007 Children's Literature 20 SEM2 CoreOption

Gabriela Steinke





5SL008 Volunteering in Action 20 SEM2 CoreOption

Marion West

6CW004 Teaching Writing 20 SEM1 Core Jacqlyn Pieterick

6CW001 Writing a Novel 20 SEM1 Core Paul Mcdonald

6CW002 Genre 20 SEM2 Core Jacqlyn Pieterick


6EN009 Unpopular Texts 20 SEM1 CoreOption

Gerald Carlin

6WL001 Intermediate/Advanced Language 20 SEM1 CoreOption


6CW007 Writing Futures 20 SEM2 Core Jacqlyn Pieterick


6CW003 Independent Study - Writing Project 20 SEM2 Core Jacqlyn Pieterick

Option

6HU001 Humanities Business and Community Link 20 SEM2 CoreOption

Frank Wilson

Course Learning Outcomes

Learning OutcomeLearning Outcome Contributing ModulesContributing Modules

CertHE Course Learning Outcome 1 CertHE Course Learning Outcome 1 (CHECLO1)(CHECLO1)

Demonstrate knowledge of the underlyingconcepts and principles associated with yourarea(s) of study, and an ability to evaluate andinterpret these within the context of that area ofstudy

4CW001 Reading as a Writer4CW002 Reading and Writing Poetry4CW003 Craft of Writing4CW006 Telling Tales


Demonstrate an ability to present, evaluate andinterpret qualitative and quantitative data, inorder to develop lines of argument and makesound judgements in accordance with basictheories and concepts of your subject(s) of study.

4CW001 Reading as a Writer4CW002 Reading and Writing Poetry


Evaluate the appropriateness of differentapproaches to solving problems related to yourarea(s) of study and/or work



Communicate the results of your study/workaccurately and reliably, and with structured andcoherent arguments



Demonstrate the qualities and transferable skillsnecessary for employment requiring the exerciseof some personal responsibility

4CW001 Reading as a Writer4CW002 Reading and Writing Poetry4CW003 Craft of Writing4CW006 Telling Tales4FI001 Screen Analysis: Storytelling4HU001 Myth4HU002 Popular Culture4HU003 From Student to Scholar4MZ001 Media, Culture and Society4SL011 Volunteering in the Community4WL002 Basic Language4WL003 Elementary Language

DipHE Course Learning Outcome 1 DipHE Course Learning Outcome 1 (DHECLO1)(DHECLO1)

Demonstrate knowledge and criticalunderstanding of the well-established principlesof your area(s) of study, and of the way in whichthose principles have developed with anunderstanding of the limits of your knowledge,and how this influences analyses andinterpretations based on that knowledge.

5CW001 Humour Writing5CW002 Writing Features5CW003 Life-Writing5CW004 Writing, Region and Identity


Demonstrate the ability to apply underlyingconcepts and principles outside the context inwhich they were first studied, including, where

5CW001 Humour Writing5CW002 Writing Features5CW003 Life-Writing5CW004 Writing, Region and Identity

appropriate, the application of those principles inan employment contextDipHE Course Learning Outcome 3 DipHE Course Learning Outcome 3 (DHECLO3)(DHECLO3)

Demonstrate knowledge of the main methods ofenquiry in the subject(s) relevant to the namedaward, and ability to evaluate critically theappropriateness of different approaches tosolving problems in the field of study

5CW001 Humour Writing5CW004 Writing, Region and Identity


Use a range of established techniques to initiateand undertake critical analysis of information,and to propose solutions to problems arising fromthat analysis



Effectively communicate information, argumentsand analysis in a variety of forms to specialist andnon-specialist audiences, and deploy keytechniques of the discipline effectively



Demonstrate the qualities and transferable skillsnecessary for employment, requiring the exerciseof personal responsibility and decision-makingand undertake further training, developingexisting skills and acquire new competences thatwill enable them to assume significantresponsibility within organisations.

5CW001 Humour Writing5CW002 Writing Features5CW003 Life-Writing5CW004 Writing, Region and Identity5DM041 Screenwriting5EN005 Stylistics: Stories and Style5EN007 Children's Literature5HU001 The Enlightenment5HU002 Popular Texts5HU003 Body, Sexuality and Identity5SL008 Volunteering in Action5WL001 Basic Language5WL002 Elementary Language

Ordinary Course Learning Outcome 1Ordinary Course Learning Outcome 1(ORDCLO1)(ORDCLO1)

Demonstrate critical and creative ability

6CW001 Writing a Novel6CW002 Genre6CW003 Independent Study - Writing Project6CW004 Teaching Writing6EN009 Unpopular Texts


Use a variety of resources to analyse texts

6CW002 Genre6EN009 Unpopular Texts


Demonstrate key employment skills (e.g. self-management, IT, digital literacy, enterprise,working in groups)

6CW001 Writing a Novel6CW002 Genre6CW004 Teaching Writing6CW007 Writing Futures6EN009 Unpopular Texts6HU001 Humanities Business and Community Link


Write with clarity and coherence

6CW001 Writing a Novel6CW003 Independent Study - Writing Project6CW004 Teaching Writing


Articulate knowledge and understanding ofrelevant theory

6CW003 Independent Study - Writing Project6CW004 Teaching Writing


6CW001 Writing a Novel6CW003 Independent Study - Writing Project

Demonstrate an ability to conduct research 6CW004 Teaching Writing6WL001 Intermediate/Advanced Language

Honours Course Learning Outcome 1Honours Course Learning Outcome 1(DEGCLO1)(DEGCLO1)

Think critically, reflectively and creatively aboutwriting

6CW001 Writing a Novel6CW002 Genre6CW003 Independent Study - Writing Project6CW004 Teaching Writing6EN009 Unpopular Texts


Engage in the comprehension, analysis andappreciation of written texts using variety ofwritten, oral and digital resources

6CW002 Genre6EN009 Unpopular Texts


Demonstrate key employment skills (e.g. self-management, IT, digital literacy, enterprise,working in groups)

6CW001 Writing a Novel6CW002 Genre6CW004 Teaching Writing6CW007 Writing Futures6EN009 Unpopular Texts6HU001 Humanities Business and Community Link


Produce artistically coherent, original andtechnically adept writing

6CW001 Writing a Novel6CW003 Independent Study - Writing Project6CW004 Teaching Writing


Articulate both orally and in writing knowledgeand understanding of texts, theories, discourseconventions and strategies relevant to the studyof creative and professional writing within amulticultural context

6CW003 Independent Study - Writing Project6CW004 Teaching Writing


Source, research, assimilate and articulatematerial relevant to the production of creativeand professional writing

6CW001 Writing a Novel6CW003 Independent Study - Writing Project6CW004 Teaching Writing6WL001 Intermediate/Advanced Language

PSRB

None

Employability in the Curriculum

The course has a number of modules with a clear vocational orientation: Writing Features and TeachingWriting are examples of modules that focus on specific writing vocations. However, employability isembedded throughout the CPW programme.

Students can become eligible for bronze, silver and gold WEEA as they work their way through the degree. Inorder to achieve this they engage with various Employability & Enterprise-facing assessments, which include:

Skills analysis (e.g. Craft of Writing; Life Writing)Students write letters geared toward particular audiences (agents, fellow writers, etc).

Presentations (e.g. Telling Tales and Writing Features)Students perform material before a live audience or on camera, honing their ‘pitching skills’ and ability to

https://www.wlv.ac.uk/current-students/careers-enterprise-and-the-workplace/enterprise--employability-award/

answer questions. At level 5, presentations are done by a group and include a written pitch about a projectthey have conceived. They pitch to tutors who act as commissioning editors or event organisers. Studentsalso draft a business plan and do a SWOT analyses.

Work related study (e.g. Feature-Writing, Writing Futures, and Teaching Writing)Assessment on these modules offers students the opportunity to study job/sector/organisation, write anappropriate CV and approach letter, create a LinkedIn profile, etc. If our students wish to go for the Gold E & EAward, they count their work experience and attend the Dream Job seminar workshop (open to all School ofHumanities students) where they are asked to devise a career plan.

Teaching, Learning and Assessment

The traditional combination of lecture and seminar is accompanied and varied by other teaching and learningactivities appropriate to particular modules. These include interactive lectures, individual and small grouppresentations, student-led seminars, small group and classroom exercises and discussions, writingworkshops, forums and surgeries, work-related and service-learning assignments and activities, andengagement with electronic learning and teaching materials. Students will interact/collaborate with otherundergraduates from a variety of backgrounds and cultures, addressing critical and creative material thatreflects and promotes awareness of cultural diversity.

Students can also undertake a period of sustained independent study through the third year project. At alllevels they are encouraged to read widely and critically, to write prolifically, and to incorporate informationand communication technologies into their learning practices.

Learning and Teaching Methods

This data indicates the proportion of time in each year of study that students can expect to engage in thefollowing activities (expressed as a percentage for each level).

LevelLevel TeachingTeaching IndependentIndependent PlacementPlacement

4 24 76 0

5 24 76 0

6 21 79 0

Assessment Methods

This data indicates the proportion of summative assessment in each year of study that will derive from thefollowing: (expressed as a percentage for each level).

LevelLevel Written ExamsWritten Exams Practical ExamsPractical Exams CourseworkCoursework

4 0 0 100

5 0 0 100

6 0 7 93

Reference Points

Quality Code - Part A: Setting and Maintaining Academic Standards. Including

Qualifications FrameworksCharacteristics StatementsCredit FrameworksQuality Code - Part B: Assuring and Enhancing Academic QualityUniversity Policies and RegulationsNAWE: Creative Writing Subject Benchmark Statement;Draft QAA Creative Writing Subject Benchmark (consulted for review, 2016)Equality Act (2010)

Academic Regulations Exemptions

None

Support with your studies

University Learning Centres are the key source of academic information for students providing access to:

Physical library resources (books, journal, DVDs etc.)Study areas to allow students to study in the environment that suits them best: Social areas, quiet andsilent areas.A wide range of online information sources, including eBooks, e-journals and subject databasesAcademic skills support via the Skills for Learning programmeStudents on campus can attend workshops or ask for one-to-one help on a range of skills such asacademic writing and referencing.Dedicated Subject Pages to enable you to explore key online information sources that are recommendedfor their studies.Physical access to local libraries both in UK and overseas via SCONUL and WorldCat agreements

We also strongly advise you to download to “MyWLV” student app. MyWLV is a single point of personalisedaccess to the variety of systems the University offers. This includes pulling through relevant information (e.g.deadlines, timetables) and linking to underlying systems.

Course Specific Support

VLE Topics include study skills-related materials such as stylebooks and shared URLs that link to various on-line study skills websites (e.g., Purdue OWL and Monash Academic Literacy sites).

Most research on academic literacies and study skills development advocates embedding them in the subjectrather than through bolted-on learning experiences and much of the level 4 programme is geared towardsdeveloping students' generic and subject-specific study skills.

Individualised e-tutoring instruction on both creative and academic texts is provided in CPW. The Craft ofWriting teaches students presentation skills and IT skills through small workshops and 1-2-1 tutorials. Level 4in-class activities and workshops, which are done in timed situations, and on-line critique circles and weeklypostings teach students to become better time managers. At least two core modules at level 4 require studentsto be reading and writing every week, and research shows that the ‘little and often approach’ has considerableimpact on improving skills via repeated practice.

Formative assignments and learning activities offer students opportunities to write and revise using feedbackprior to submission for assessment. Formative feedback for revision encourages students to develop andhone problem-solving skills, writing, and critical thinking (selecting rhetorical strategies for more persuasiveargument/exposition). This also moves them towards more self-regulated learning (engagementwith feedback promotes reflection and self-assessment). Additionally, many modules afford studentsnumerous opportunities to engage in peer feedback activities and writing workshops, both in class and on-

line which promote both collaborative and independent learning. Students receive timely and frequentfeedback, providing personalised study skills support.

Subject specific research skills are embedded in module learning activities - both in-class and out-of-class -and require students to use electronic and HRC resources (e.g., Summon, e-books, LION, online/printnewspapers and various search engines) to regularly locate information about authors, newspaperdemographics and theoretical/critical texts to engage in problem-based learning (most writing tasks engagestudents in PBL) and complete assessment tasks.

Dedicated Subject Pages allow students to explore key online information sources that are recommended fortheir studies: Creative & Professional Writing / English / Linguistics / Philosophy / Religious Studies

www.wlv.ac.uk/lib/subjects/humanities

Contact Hours

In higher education, the term ‘contact hours’ is used very broadly, to refer to the amount of time that youspend learning in contact with teaching or associated staff, when studying for a particular course.

This time provides you with the support in developing your subject knowledge and skills, and opportunitiesto develop and reflect on your own, independent learning. Contact time can take a wide variety of formsdepending on your subject, as well as where and how you are studying. Some of the most common examplesare:

lecturesseminarstutorialsproject supervisionsdemonstrationspractical classes and workshopssupervised time in a studio/workshopfieldworkexternal visitswork-based learning (including placements)scheduled virtual interaction with tutor such as on line, skype, telephone

In UK higher education, you as the student take primary responsibility for your own learning. In this context,contact time with teaching and associated staff is there to help shape and guide your studies. It may be usedto introduce new ideas and equip you with certain knowledge or skills, demonstrate practical skills for you topractise independently, offer guidance on project work, or to provide personalised feedback.

Alongside contact time, private or independent study is therefore very significant. This is the time that youspend learning without direct supervision from, or contact with, a member of staff. It might includebackground reading, preparation for seminars or tutorials, follow-up work, wider practice, the completion ofassignments, revision, and so on.

Course Specific Health and Safety Issues

Everyone in the Faculty is required to read and adhere to the Codes of Practice and Operational Procedures forthe areas of the Faculty they work/study in. Codes of Practice are available within the Faculty of Arts Health &Safety Canvas course. Please familiarise yourself with the codes appropriate to your study location. Pleasealso note, all potentially hazardous Faculty facilities require the successful completion of one or more formalinduction sessions before access to those facilities can be granted. Your module tutor and or course team willbe able to advise you on which modules / areas of study require specific additional inductions.

Course Fact File

Hierarchy of Awards:Hierarchy of Awards: Bachelor of Arts with Honours Creative and Professional Writing Bachelor of Arts Creative and Professional Writing Diploma of Higher Education Creative and Professional Writing Certificate of Higher Education Creative and Professional Writing University Statement of Credit University Statement of Credit

Course Codes:Course Codes: CW005H01UV Full-time 3 YearsCW005H31UV Part-Time 6 Years

Awarding Body / Institution:Awarding Body / Institution: University of Wolverhampton

School / Institute:School / Institute: School of Humanities

Category of Partnership:Category of Partnership: Not delivered in partnership

Location of Delivery:Location of Delivery: University of Wolverhampton

Teaching Institution:Teaching Institution: University of Wolverhampton

Published: 25-Oct-2017 by Karen Cooper

Documents

Course Guide BA(Hons) Creative and Professional Writing ...€¦ · The MX Building MX 005 (01902) 321034 [email protected] Help and Advice is also available from Student