| AQF Level |
Level 9 Masters by Coursework Degree |
| CRICOS Code |
084546D |
| Overview and Aims of the Program |
The Master of Creative Writing is designed to extend and challenge emerging writers to hone their craft in a small community of writers. The program’s focus is on developing each student’s creativity and writing skills, and to provide expert training for students aiming for professional publication. Students are encouraged to experiment, hone their craft, and to develop a technical vocabulary for critiquing their own work and the work of others. Specialist units in the degree engage with novel and short story writing, creative nonfiction (such as memoir, writing about place, personal essay), poetry, writing for young adults, and manuscript development.
For those wishing to pathway to higher degree study, the degree can be credited towards a Masters in Research leading to a PhD. |
| Graduate Capabilities |
The Graduate Capabilities Framework articulates the fundamentals that underpin all of Macquarie’s academic programs. It expresses these as follows:
Cognitive capabilities
(K) discipline specific knowledge and skills
(T) critical, analytical and integrative thinking
(P) problem solving and research capability
(I) creative and innovative
Interpersonal or social capabilities
(C) effective communication
(E) engaged and ethical local and global citizens
(A) socially and environmentally active and responsible
Personal capabilities
(J) capable of professional and personal judgement and initiative
(L) commitment to continuous learning |
| Program Learning Outcomes |
By the end of this program it is anticipated you should be able to:
KNOWLEDGE
1. demonstrate advanced knowledge and understanding of the varied practices, genres and techniques engaged in by writing practitioners in the field of creative writing, including prose, nonfiction and poetry (K,T,J)
2. demonstrate knowledge of language and form in story, narrative and other literary genres through integrated creative, critical and reflective thinking (K, T)
3. engage critically with the social, cultural and ethical issues, and global perspectives relevant to writing practices (K, T)
4. gain knowledge of career opportunities in the Arts and Media industries (K, J)
SKILLS
5. apply specialised and advanced technical and creative language skills to produce and realise story, narrative and other textual forms of creative writing (K, T, P, I, C)
6. demonstrate the capacity to think creatively, critically, and imaginatively to research, evaluate and present complex ideas, concepts, problems and processes (K, T, P, I, C)
7. interpret, communicate and present ideas in written language or symbolic representations appropriate to specific readerships or audience contexts (K, T, P, I)
8. work autonomously and collaboratively to research and develop ideas, concepts and practices and to give and receive critical commentary and analysis of creative works (K, T, P, I, C). |
| Learning and Teaching Methods |
The focus of the program is on the practice of writing, accompanied by the development of research, reading and analysis skills and understandings. Students develop expertise through an integration of critical reflection, discussion, written analysis and reflection and individual creative practice.
Learning activities include the reading, viewing and analysis of creative and scholarly texts, and participation in online forums and in-class seminars. Small group discussion and activities, and workshopping of work-in-progress are key elements of the online and campus classroom practice.
Students develop their writing expertise by producing writing in a range of genres or through specialisation in specific genres that include prose, poetry and nonfiction for adult and child audiences and readerships.
Students initiate original creative works, ideas or concepts, and are then guided in the refinement, development and completion of these works, and to identify and situate them in specific cultural contexts and readerships. The program focuses on industry-relevant experiences, with learning and assessment tasks which include writing to a brief, independent work, and independently sourcing subjects and/or interviewees. |
| Assessment |
Assessment methods align with the Program Learning and Unit Learning Outcomes. The students varied learning approaches and styles are supported through a range of assessment methods. Early assessment and feedback takes place in Weeks 2-5. Rubrics are used consistently for all assessments, and students receive written feedback in addition to grading and marks. There is ongoing peer review of work in progress.
Assessment tasks include:
• creative works
• creative and academic research activities and research documentation
• reflective essays
• critical essays and reports
• peer review, peer feedback, written and oral
• individual presentations of research and critical analysis, either face to face or online
• participant observation, and field reports. |
| Recognition of Prior Learning |
Macquarie University may recognise prior formal, informal and non-formal learning for the purpose of granting credit towards, or admission into, a program. The recognition of these forms of learning is enabled by the University’s Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Policy and its associated Procedures and Guidelines. For recognition of prior informal and non-formal learning, please refer to the relevant RPL Plan, which describes the evidential requirements and approval processes for recognising prior learning for entry or credit in this program.
For undergraduate RPL plans visit www.goto.mq.edu.au/nonschoolrpl
For postgraduate RPL plans visit www.goto.mq.edu.au/pgrpl |
| Support for Learning |
Macquarie University aspires to be an inclusive and supportive community of learners where all students are given the opportunity to meet their academic and personal goals. The University offers a comprehensive range of free and accessible student support services which include academic advice, counselling and psychological services, advocacy services and welfare advice, careers and employment, disability services and academic skills workshops amongst others. There is also a bulk billing medical service located on campus.
Further information can be found at www.students.mq.edu.au/support/
Campus Wellbeing contact details:
Phone: +61 2 9850 7497
Email: campuswellbeing@mq.edu.au
www.students.mq.edu.au/support/health_and_wellbeing/contact_us |
| Program Standards and Quality |
The program is subject to an ongoing comprehensive process of quality review in accordance with a pre-determined schedule that complies with the Higher Education Standards Framework. The review is overseen by Macquarie University's peak academic governance body, the Academic Senate and takes into account feedback received from students, staff and external stakeholders. |
| Graduate Destinations and Employability |
Graduates in the Master of Creative Writing have the skills and knowledge to work in the Arts and Media industries as writers, editors and creative content producers; as technical, professional and creative writers; in publishing, marketing and publicity. Expertise in written composition and analysis also make the graduates employable in government and public service positions, and in industries which require high level communication skills not normally associated with written composition, such as the banking and financial sectors. Expertise in learning and teaching of creative writing and the analysis of contemporary literature including Children's Literature enables graduates to work in primary and secondary school settings and libraries as heads of subject and mentors with advanced knowledge of their field. |
| Assessment Regulations |
This program is subject to Macquarie University regulations, including but not limited to those specified in the Assessment Policy, Academic Honesty Policy, the Final Examination Policy and relevant University Rules. For all approved University policies, procedures, guidelines and schedules visit www.mq.edu.au/policy. |
| External Benchmarks |
Creative and Performing Arts Learning and Teaching Academic Standards Project 2010
Teaching Australian Literature Survey http://teaching.austlit.edu.au/
Good Practice reports http://www.olt.gov.au/resource-library/good-practice-reports |
| Accreditation |
This is an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) accredited qualification.
Accreditation with the NSW Institute of Teachers (English Studies secondary teachers) has been initiated. |
