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Unit outline_

ENGL6120: Dissertation Part 2: Creative Writing

Semester 1, 2025 [Supervision] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Completion and submission of a 12-15,000 word dissertation comprising of a larger creative and smaller critical/exegetical component. This is a capstone unit of the Master of Creative Writing degree. Candidates must have formulated a topic and consulted with the Unit Coordinator in advance of enrollment in the preceding unit, ENGL6119 Dissertation Part 1: Creative Writing, in order to have been assigned appropriate supervision by an academic staff member.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit English and Writing
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
ENGL6119
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
ENGL6908
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Vanessa Berry, vanessa.berry@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2025
Type Description Weight Due Length
Dissertation hurdle task AI Allowed Final Dissertation
Written dissertation
100% Week 13
Due date: 01 Jun 2025 at 23:59
12-15000wd
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
hurdle task = hurdle task ?
AI allowed = AI allowed ?

Assessment summary

The Final Dissertation will comprise a creative work and exegesis amounting to 12-15000 words, to be submitted in one document to Assignments in Canvas by the due date and time. See Canvas for further details.

Assessment criteria

Detailed grading criteria is available on Canvas.

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2021 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a High distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a Distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Awarded to students who, in their performance in assessment tasks,
demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard
as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars established by the faculty.

Distinction

75 - 84

Awarded to students who, in their performance in assessment tasks,
demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard as
defined by grade descriptors or exemplars established by the faculty.

Credit

65 - 74

Awarded to students who, in their performance in assessment tasks,
demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard as
defined by grade descriptors or exemplars established by the faculty.

Pass

50 - 64

Awarded to students who, in their performance in assessment tasks,
demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard
as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars established by the faculty.

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

Except for supervised exams or in-semester tests, you may use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessments unless expressly prohibited by your unit coordinator. 

For exams and in-semester tests, the use of AI and automated writing tools is not allowed unless expressly permitted in the assessment instructions. 

The icons in the assessment table above indicate whether AI is allowed – whether full AI, or only some AI (the latter is referred to as “AI restricted”). If no icon is shown, AI use is not permitted at all for the task. Refer to Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks for this unit. 

Your final submission must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of automated writing tools or generative AI, and any material generated that you include in your final submission must be properly referenced. You may be required to submit generative AI inputs and outputs that you used during your assessment process, or drafts of your original work. Inappropriate use of generative AI is considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply. 

The Current Students website provides information on artificial intelligence in assessments. For help on how to correctly acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the  AI in Education Canvas site

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

As per university policy.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction Workshop (2 hr)  
Week 04 Dissertation workshop 1 Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 07 Dissertation workshop 2 Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 10 Dissertation workshop 3 Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 12 Dissertation workshop 4 Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6

Attendance and class requirements

  • Preparation: Students should commit to spend approximately three hours’ preparation time (reading, studying, homework, essays, etc.) for every hour of scheduled instruction.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Readings to be determined in consultation with your supervisor.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. develop and complete an original piece of fiction, creative non-fiction, poetry or hybrid work for the creative part of the dissertation
  • LO2. apply critical research skills towards developing and completing the exegesis/critical essay part of the dissertation
  • LO3. deploy advanced creative writing skills and techniques as advised by your supervisor, and productively engage with and apply feedback from the supervision process to your creative and critical work
  • LO4. recognize and understand the relationship between your creative and critical work through research and application of a theoretical framework and/or analysis of model texts and contexts
  • LO5. respectfully and usefully critique your own and others’ work in the seminars, contributing to a productive, engaged and respectful workshop and learning environment as a form of teamwork
  • LO6. demonstrate understanding of the principles of editing and re-drafting towards the production of the final dissertation.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9
LO1         
LO2         
LO3         
LO4         
LO5         
LO6         

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

No changes have been made since last version of the unit.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.