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Writing Major
The Writing major provides a sequence of subjects designed to enable
students to gain an understanding of a range of contemporary writing
practices in the context of communications and media studies and
materialist frameworks. It includes an historically-informed analysis
of 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,
autobiographies 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 writing practices while developing
and applying skills and techniques in their individual and collaborative
projects.
GSC1402
Media Studies (cross-listed from Communication)
Dr. Simon Cooper, Dr. Robert Briggs
This subject introduces techniques for describing and analysing
the production, distribution and reception, as well as the formal
properties of media texts. It focuses on "mass media" as a set of
relationships between media industries, texts and audiences. It
introduces these relationships in connection with studies of power
and influence, focusing on particular dimensions of difference and
inequality in social life. Areas of study include news production,
media ownership and diversity, textual analysis, media genres (including
advertising, photography, television and film), and sport.
GSC1901
Introduction to Communication Studies (cross-listed from Communication)
Dr. Sue Yell
In this subject you begin the study of mass communication with
reference to arguments about audiences, effects and technology.
It investigates practices for compiling knowledge about audiences
for and effects of, mass communication technologies. Areas of study
include telephony, photography, radio, print production and the
internet, with a particular focus on aspects of historical development
and contemporary technological convergence. Subject readings and
assessment exercises expect students to discuss these matters in
relation to making sense of social, cultural and political contexts
of modern life.
GSC2405
Contemporary Fiction
Mike Griffiths
The subject requires students to study a number of examples of
recent fiction, drawn from a range of traditions (West Indian, US,
British, for example) and exemplifying different kinds of formal
developments. Issues include social, feminist, and historical concerns
in the texts studied. Participation in on-line forums is expected.
GSC2407
Authorship and Writing
Mike Griffiths
The subject combines the opportunity for students to develop and
reflect on their own writing skills with the critical study of a
number of texts. The notion of authorship will be interrogated in
relation to a variety of writing practices. The Romantic idea of
the author (and of the film auteur) will be examined in the light
of recent critical theories. Participation in on-line writing forums.
GSC3408
Screen Theories and Techniques (cross-listed to Communications)
Dr. Simon Cooper
An introduction to the study of film and television/video as mediums
of fictional and documentary narrative. Major developments in the
history of cinema. Films will be analysed formally in terms of narrative,
editing, mise en scène, shots, lighting and sound, and stylistically
in terms of genre and authorship. Different theoretical approaches
to screen studies including aestheticism, discourse analysis and
semiotics.
GCS2409/3409
Media Text: Practices, Audiences
Dr. Mary Griffiths
An analysis of realism as a regime of truth in a range of examples
chosen from familiar media forms: news reporting, photographs, reality
tv, community advice, documentary, policy speeches, commentary and
advertising. Medical, pornographic, scientific, historical and legal
regimes of representation are studied as technologies through which
audiences are provided with ways to think about themselves and others.
Participation in on-line forums.
GSC2506/3513
Research and Writing Community History
Dr. Meredith Fletcher
This subject focuses on local and community history, and investigates
concepts of community, the relationship between people and place
and the connection between past and present. Students will study
methods of historical research including oral history, photographic
interpretation and material culture. Through the assignments that
include designing an exhibition panel and undertaking a community
history research project, students will acquire the skills of writing
for a community audience. Students also have the opportunity to
access this subject on the web and participate in a discussion group.
GSC3421
Writing 1: Techniques
Dr. Mary Griffiths
The development of writing skills and techniques, e.g., the compositional
skills found in forms such as prose fiction, feature articles, reviewing,
travel writing, autobiography, biography, and the essay. The cultural
and social contexts of writing, including on-line communities. The
relation between print and visual material. Editing and preparing
copy for publication. Participation in on-line forums and publishing.
GSC3422
Writing 2: Portfolio
Mike Griffiths
Application of the skills and knowledge acquired in GSC3421 (Writing
1: Techniques). Through the production of a portfolio of their work,
students will demonstrate knowledge of different contemporary writing
practices, forms of writing, and audiences. The portfolio will contain
the results of a combination of individual and collaborative writing
projects. Participation in on-line forums and publishing.
Opportunities
You are offered the option of producing writing assignments of
various kinds across the genres before you finalise the shape of
your final year Writing portfolio. You are also able to work on
Campus and School publications and have the publications credited
to your assessment by negotiation with the subject adviser. You
are able to work with published writers.
Who Should be Writing?
It is expected that students who choose this major will have a
high level of written communications skills and demonstrate a commitment
to and an interest in writing.
Studies you can combine with a
Writing Major:
Depending on the course you are enrolled in, you can link a Writing
major with a number of disciplines offered within the School of
Humanities, Communications and Social Sciences. These include Mass
Communications, History-Politics, Gender Studies, Social Welfare,
Sociology, Journalism and Indonesian. Alternatively, you can take
studies from disciplines offered by other Schools.
Courses of Study
Those wishing to undertake a Writing major may do so by completing
one of the following courses:
Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts (Administrative Studies)
Bachelor of Arts (Journalism)
Bachelor of Arts (Psychology and Humanities)
Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Business
Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Education
Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Social Welfare
A specialisation sequence in Writing may also be taken in the Bachelor
of Arts (Communication).
(The information presented above is for the general advice of actual
and prospective students, and should be read in conjunction with
the Undergraduate Courses and Subjects 2001 Handbook and after seeking
advice from a course adviser.)
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