MONASH UNIVERSITY FACULTY HANDBOOKS

Arts Undergraduate Handbook 1996

Published by Monash University
Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia

Caution Copyright © Monash University 1996
ISBN 1320-6222

Authorised by Academic Registrar, April 1996

Writing

This major will be offered subject to approval of the two third-level subjects necessary for its completion. Following approval, GSC3421 (Writing 1) and GSC3422 (Writing 2) will be offered internally in 1997, and internally and by distance education mode from 1998.

The writing major provides a sequence of subjects which will enable students to gain an understanding of a range of contemporary writing practices in the context of cultural and media studies, materialist and feminist frameworks, and analyses of literary and other media forms. Students will become familiar with different kinds of contemporary writing, especially prose forms (eg prose fiction, feature articles, film and TV scripts, reviewing, travel writing, autobiography, biography and the essay), and acquire detailed knowledge of a range of techniques associated with contemporary cultural production. At second and, more fully, at third-level students will be able to reflect critically upon their own practices while developing and applying skills and techniques through individual and collaborative projects.

Students completing a writing major will complete fifty-two points including twelve points at first level, sixteen points at second level, sixteen points at third level and a further eight points at second or third level. Students wishing to complete a writing minor will complete twenty-eight to thirty-two points, including GSC3421 (Writing 1: techniques).

Objectives

This major's objectives include the development of an understanding of a range of contemporary literary and media forms through reading and critical analysis, and the refining and extending of the student's own critical, communication and writing skills. Upper-level subjects give students the opportunity to focus on the critical analysis of particular areas of writing and media, to study recent theoretical approaches, and to extend their skills in critical and, in some subjects, creative writing techniques. At third level students will work individually and in groups on topics and projects which will allow them to develop and further their skills and techniques in practices such as writing and editing, and to prepare a portfolio of work.

Subjects offered

First level

Students must complete any two of the following subjects:

+ GSC1402 Media Studies

+ GSC1901 Introduction to communication studies

+ GSC1401 Introduction to culture and English

Second and third level

Students must complete at least two of the following subjects at second level

+ GSC2407/3407 Authorship and writing (previously Writing and the media, Contemporary writing)

+ GSC2406/3406 Women's writing

+ GSC2409/3409 Narratives and representations

+ GSC2405/3405 Contemporary fiction

Third level

Students must complete both subjects at third level

+ GSC3421 Writing 1: techniques +not offered in 1996)

+ GSC3422 Writing 2: portfolio (not offered in 1996)

Details of the first and second-level subjects are listed under the English or mass communications entries.

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