Module Code - Title:
EH6082
-
CREATIVE WRITING II
Year Last Offered:
2025/6
Hours Per Week:
Grading Type:
N
Prerequisite Modules:
Rationale and Purpose of the Module:
With the creation of the new McCourt Chair in Creative Writing, a module is needed out of which the first steps towards the creation of undergraduate and graduate creative writing streams might be taken. This module is intended to create a presence for creative writing on the graduate programme in English at the University of Limerick. It will be a general creative writing module, which can be adapted to the generic expertise of the Chair. Thus, it will accommodate graduate-level creative writing workshops in poetry, fiction, drama, and creative non-fiction.
Syllabus:
This course is a graduate level creative writing workshop, one which will primarily focus on the reading and critiquing of work written by those enrolled in the class. Part of the class time will also include the reading and discussion of collections works by established writers. Students will learn about the practices of other writers and will develop their own skills as writers through peer review. Students will participate in regular writing activities, at the end of which they will have produced a portfolio of creative pieces which might be put forward for publication.
Learning Outcomes:
Cognitive (Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis)
By the end of this course students should have:
A. Enhanced their critical and analytical skills -- again, to the appropriate graduate level -- through reading and commenting on the writing of their classmates and a selection of published authors.
B. Developed their skills as creative writers by writing and revising their own creative work after receiving feedback about that work from their classmates and from the class leader. These processes will lead to the creation of a portfolio, the contents of which might be put forward for publication.
C. Improved their ability to analyse critically the work of other writers and to understand more fully their strengths and weaknesses as creators of text.
Affective (Attitudes and Values)
By the end of this course students will:
Be confident of the ability to write creatively and to workshop writings in academic situations.
Understand the value of peer-response and collaborative critique.
Psychomotor (Physical Skills)
n/a
How the Module will be Taught and what will be the Learning Experiences of the Students:
During this course students will have their writings work-shopped and discussed by peers. The process will result in pieces being revised and improved towards inclusion in a final portfolio, which should include pieces that the student might consider putting forward to an appropriate forum for publication. The portfolio is to be accompanied by a reflective essay (roughly 7-10 pages) that discusses the semester's work, the selection of work, and also if/how the readings of the semester have influenced the writer's thinking regarding creative writing/publishing. The module thus fosters technical and professional knowledge, collaborative critique and creativity.
Research Findings Incorporated in to the Syllabus (If Relevant):
Prime Texts:
Julia Bell and Andrew Motion (2001)
The Creative Writing Coursebook: Forty Authors Share Advice and Exercises for Fiction and Poetry
, Macmillan
Linda Anderson and Derek Neale (2005)
Creative Writing: A Workbook with Readings
, Routledge
Pat Boran (2005)
The Portable Creative Writing Workshop
, New Island
Other Relevant Texts:
Giles Foden (2009)
Turbulence
, Faber
Giles Foden (1998)
The Last King of Scotland
, Faber
Kate O'Brien (2006)
The Land of Spices
, Virago
Kevin Barry (2013)
Dark Lies the Island
, Graywolf
Programme(s) in which this Module is Offered:
Semester(s) Module is Offered:
Spring
Module Leader:
sarah.moore@ul.ie