106-433 Genre Interventions

This subject is offered jointly by the Department of English and the School of Creative Arts.

Usually admission to the postgraduate diploma, postgraduate certificate or fourth year honours in English or the postgraduate diploma or fourth year honours in creative arts, or the postgraduate diploma in creative writing.

The subject teaches an understanding of genres in their social, historical and theoretical contexts. Beginning with some general theoretical ideas about genre using examples from a range of genres the subject will then specifically focus on case studies of discrete genres, such as the novel, the crime novel, magic realism, or science fiction. The subject will be flexible enough to allow for research interests of the students to be covered. On a theoretical and practical level, the subject will examine the character of different genres, their social contexts and histories as well as the work of writers who have radically intervened in genre writing. Debates about genre as a conceptual category will also be examined. The subject will encourage writers to gain a deeper understanding of the genres in which they wish to write, using the discussed genres as examples and will encourage literature students to investigate and/or critique genres. Both creative writing and literary theory students will engage in the examination of theoretical issues.

• apply advanced analytic and critical skills to written texts;

• apply advanced problem-solving skills to creative and analytic tasks;

• complete written tasks to an advanced level of literacy and communication;

• plan and develop their own work;

• relate critical analysis to creative production issues.

A class presentation and written paper of 1000 words 20% (due during weeks 2-10 of the semester) and written work of 4000 words for honours students and 5000 words for masters students (due at the end of semester). Creative writing students will write either a theory paper and a creative writing piece equivalent to 4000 words in total or a theory paper of 4000 words 80%. All other students will write a theory paper of 4000 words 80%.

A subject reader will be available from the University Bookshop.