Module: CWR4000-20 The Writers Workshop 1

Level: 4

Credit Value: 20

Module Tutor: Gavin James Bower

Module Tutor Contact Details: g.bower@bathspa.ac.uk

1. Brief description and aims of module:

This module provides students the opportunity to explore their potential for creative expression, to hone current skills, to develop new ones, and to explore a wide variety of approaches and subject matter. The module emphasises both creative exploration and writing as a craft, with particular emphasis on writing as a process that involves considerable rewriting.

The aim is to help you improve your writing and reading skills: both in terms of analysis of professional writing as a model for your own work, and in terms of offering constructive criticism of the writing of your peers. All students should set a high priority on improving their presentation skills, both for the mechanics of writing and for reading it aloud.

In addition, you will have an opportunity to use your skills of presentation, writing, rewriting and cooperative learning in a real-world project proposal. The project itself will then be completed and assessed as part of The Writer’s Workshop 2 (Core), in the second semester of L4.

2. Outline syllabus:

Introduction to the writer’s workshop and processes, including reviewing contemporary work

Introduction to individual genres from contemporary practitioners. Genres will include lifewriting, scriptwriting, poetry, performance poetry, the short story, and writing for young people, with emphasis on generating ideas and approaches to composition and revision.

Seminar leaders will provide guidance on workshopping techniques for the various genres, introduce contemporary reading and viewing and help students to begin writing critical reviews

Development of a creative project proposal

Attendance at talks by established and emerging writers in the plenary series

Reflection on one’s development as a writer

3. Teaching and learning activities:

Weekly lecture introducing a genre form.

Weekly plenary lectures by staff members, themselves industry professionals, as well as professional writers from beyond the university, concentrating on aspects of the associated professional and industrial contexts of writing.

Weekly seminars focusing on further discussion of lecture topics and workshopping students’ creative and critical writing.

Assessment Item 1:

• Assessment Type: CW

• Description: Portfolio of writing 3000 words

• % Weighting: 75%

Assessment Item 2:

• Assessment Type: CW

• Description: Creative project proposal (1000 words)

• % Weighting: 25%