AustLit

RATIONALE:

The unit covers one of the major genres in creative writing, and is designed for those who are interested in language and the use of words in precise, innovative, concentrated and musical ways. It would also be useful to lyricists. The unit provides important creative and critical skills in writing verse and cultivating an understanding and appreciation of poetry and occurs at the mid-point of the creative writing major, building on KWB211 Stylistics and preparing students for the advanced work of third ye

AIM:

The unit will develop students' skills in both reading and writing contemporary poetry. Students will learn a range of approaches to writing poetry, to writing reflectively about their own poetry, and writing analytically about the stylistics of another person's poetry.

CONTENT:

The unit assists an understanding and appreciation of modern and contemporary poets' work (including Carol Ann Duffy, W.H. Auden, Sylvia Plath, Philip Larkin, Billy Collins, Les Murray, Emma Jones, Sarah Holland-Batt, David Morley and Fiona Sampson); equips you to be able to apply a knowledge of poetics and style in writing and editing your own poetry; practice in how to write reflectively about one's own poetry; and how to provide constructive criticism of other writers' work.

Graduate capabilities being developed include: demonstrating the knowledge and skills required to pursue a writing career; applying critical and creative thinking and problem-solving in creative practice and analysis; and working in a self-reliant and independent way as well as showing teamwork in collaborative environments.