Outline

Overview

This unit of study introduces students to the principles and practices of creative non-fiction, also known as literary journalism. This broad genre includes travel, memoir, biography, essays, true crime, historical, medical or investigative narratives. The unit provides a scholarly framework to creative nonfiction and the work of writers such as essayists and literary journalists. In addition to the content provided by the coordinators, and in-class writing exercises, three major contemporary nonfiction writers take participants through the process of composition of their recent works.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Media and Communications
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	ENGL6984
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Cheryl O'Byrne, cheryl.obyrne@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Assignment	Creative nonfiction story Creative nonfiction story on a topic of your choice	50%	Formal exam period Due date: 09 Jun 2020 at 23:59 Closing date: 19 Jun 2020	2000 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Exegesis Critical reflection on your story	30%	Formal exam period Due date: 15 Jun 2020 at 23:59 Closing date: 25 Jun 2020	1000 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Online submission Contribution to online discussion forums	20%	Multiple weeks	3 x 500 words
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (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	High distinction projects demonstrate outstanding levels of creativity, storytelling, technical competency and publishing ability. These productions have a sophisticated approach towards creativity and storytelling by understanding their audience and drawing on outstanding engagement techniques. The technical capacity demonstrates outstanding skills by correctly recording, capturing, manipulating and exporting the production that adheres to industry standards. The work exceeds the requirements of this assignment and could be commissioned by existing media publications.
Distinction	75 - 84	Distinction projects demonstrate excellent levels of creativity, storytelling, technical competency and publishing ability. These productions have a sophisticated approach towards creativity and storytelling by understanding their audience and drawing on excellent engagement techniques. The technical capacity demonstrates excellent skills by correctly recording, capturing, manipulating and exporting the production that adheres to industry standards. The work exceeds the requirements of this assignment.
Credit	65 - 74	Credit projects demonstrate good levels of creativity, storytelling, technical competency and publishing ability. These productions have a well-rounded approach towards creativity and storytelling by understanding their audience and drawing on satisfactory engagement techniques. The technical capacity demonstrates good skills by correctly recording, capturing, and manipulating the production, which may have a few minor problems. The work demonstrates the requirements of this assignment.
Pass	50 - 64	Projects that pass demonstrate minimal levels of creativity, storytelling, technical competency and publishing ability. These productions have some understanding of creativity and storytelling but have been masked by errors and problems in comprehensive produciton. The technical capacity demonstrates some skills by correctly recording, capturing and manipulating the media, but also demonstrates some technical problems and errors. The work minimally meets the requirements of this assignment.
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

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.

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.

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

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Learning support

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.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	What is creative nonfiction?	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 02	Introduction to creative nonfiction ethics	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 03	Mark Tredinnick on the lyric essay, part one	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 04	Mark Tredinnick on the lyric essay, part two	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 05	Mark Tredinnick on the lyric essay, part three	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 06	Fiona Wright on the personal essay, part one	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 07	Fiona Wright on the personal essay, part two	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 08	Fiona Wright on the personal essay, part three	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 09	Writing your exegesis	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 10	Linda Jaivin on literary journalism, part one	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 11	Linda Jaivin on literary journalism, part two	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 12	Linda Jaivin on literary journalism, part three	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 13	The art of revision and a final workshop	Seminar (2 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: According to the Faculty Board Resolutions, students in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences are expected to attend 90% of their classes. See https://sydney.edu.au/handbooks/arts_PG/rules/faculty_resolutions.shtml

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

Tredinnick, Mark. (2009). The blue plateau: A landscape memoir. St Lucia: University of Queensland Press.

Wright, Fiona. (2018). The world was whole. Artarmon: Giramondo.

All other readings for this unit can be accessed via the eReserve link on our Canvas site.

Learning outcomes

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.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

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

LO1. Demonstrate a sound understanding of the genre of creative nonfiction, also known as literary or narrative journalism
LO2. Illustrate familiarity with major works of practitioners in Australia and internationally
LO3. Acquire a broad historical overview of the genre in Australia and internationally
LO4. Exercise critical judgement and analysis in relation to these works
LO5. Demonstrate competencies in reporting and research as well as narrative techniques, including an understanding of writing for screen or page
LO6. Demonstrate the ability to make creative use of language while respecting and adhering to the factual basis of the material, and paying attention to the ethical implications of the research process
LO7. Demonstrate an understanding of and sensitivity to the grey area between fact and fiction when using narrative techniques to relate factual events
LO8. Demonstrate an awareness and understanding of audience in the writing and an ability to target material to appropriate publishing markets or communities of readers
LO9. Understand the ethical implications of reporting and research for creative nonfiction writing
LO10. Confidently engage in sophisticated critical discussions with authors and other students regarding the processes of writing creative nonfiction and offer constructive editorial feedback during peer review

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
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

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

This is the first time this unit has been offered in MECO. It was previously run by the English department. The increase from 2 to 3 hours of class time on guest lecture days is in response to student feedback from the English-run unit.

Additional information

More information can be found on Canvas.

Disclaimer

Important: the University of Sydney regularly reviews units of study and reserves the right to change the units of study available annually. To stay up to date on available study options, including unit of study details and availability, refer to the relevant handbook.

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

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

MECO6945: Creative Non-Fiction Workshop

Semester 1, 2020 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links