EL4015 - Creative and Critical Practice

The module is taught via a combination of lectures, seminars and workshops:

1 x 1 hour weekly lecture
1 x 2 hour seminar/workshop

Lectures provide an overview of particular topics and texts, with straightforward explanations of complex issues.

Seminars and workshops allow you to discuss challenging material with other students under the guidance of the module tutor and to develop your skills in writing and feedback through structured workshops. These sessions encourage you to engage with the set reading and to explore your own responses critically and creatively. Seminar and workshop discussions develop intellectual, practical and transferable skills.
The aim of this introductory module is to create a supportive environment in which your knowledge, confidence, creative and critical skills can develop.
The module makes appropriate use of technology enhanced learning through use of the Blackboard electronic learning platform and the online support offered by Northumbria’s SkillsPlus programme.

In addition to the scheduled lectures and seminars, you are expected to undertake both directed and independent learning. Directed learning includes preparation for seminars and workshops (including both reading and written work) individually or in small groups. Independent learning includes further reading and investigation, the consolidation of seminar materials, and revision/preparation for the module assignments.

Your learning will be academically supported by peer and tutor feedback on your work within writing workshops as well as tutor-led debates around narrative theory and the key techniques of prose fiction writing; your tutor will facilitate set writing exercises and help trigger new work and provide tutorial support.

The module handbook provides details of lectures, seminars, reading lists and assessment criteria; lecture PowerPoint slides are made available on the e-learning platform, together with links to relevant skills materials in the library.
The module tutor is available in lectures and seminars, as well as during office hours, to discuss any queries or concerns you have.
Feedback in workshops on formative work serves as ‘feed forward’, giving guidance on how to improve during the module.
You are advised to see your Guidance Tutor at least twice each semester to review your academic progress. The Guidance Booklet, which you receive at the start of your first year, includes structured materials designed to help you develop your self-reflection skills. These materials underpin the academic side of the regular Guidance meetings, helping you to learn how to best use the feedback you receive on your assignments, how to build on your strengths, and improve in the areas where you could perform better.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.

Knowledge & Understanding:
1. an appreciation of how the creative writing workshop works and the student role within the workshop
2. some understanding of the specific techniques relevant prose writing


Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
3. the ability to relate one’s own writing to wider debates in literary criticism


Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
4. the ability to identify some of the strengths and weaknesses within own work

Formative: Group workshops for producing, sharing and critiquing creative writing.
MLO 1, 4

Summative: you will submit a portfolio of work consisting of

a) a piece of textual intervention of 2,000 words of prose fiction, which responds creatively to one of the texts on your core English Literature modules. MLO 2

b) a critical commentary of 1,000 words on the construction of the textual intervention. The commentary should reflect critically on the technical strategies of the creative work, and how they relate to those of the original piece being responded to. You should try to contextualise your work by referencing wider critical debates relating to author, text and context. MLO 3, 4.

One overall mark will be given for the portfolio of work. Assignments a) and b) should be submitted together.
Feedback will be provided using the Departmental template and comments on the script

None

EL4001 Introduction to Literary Studies

Please find details of this module in the other sections provided.