106-427 Writing: Before and Beyond the Image

Formerly available as 106-081. Students who have completed 106-081 are not eligible to enrol in this subject.

Admission to the postgraduate diploma or fourth year honours in English, creative writing or English language, or admission to Bachelor of Creative Arts (honours).

This subject is designed to foster innovation and experimentation in the writing of advanced students. It is a 'stand alone' subject but one which should complement the other fourth year writing subject, Contested Sites, in that it extends that interrogation of the limits, ethics and politics of writing. It focuses, in particular, on the paradoxes of 'representation', on its 'impossibility' and engages with a range of theoretical, critical and imaginative texts and practices, which suggest possibilities for writing. While it provides a forum for discussion and a workshop space for trying out new work, it is also a place to experiment, to theorise and to stretch the possibilities for your own practice; to learn, not simply from other writing, but from a whole range of radical practices.

• demonstrate a recognition of the complex political and ethical issues around writing;

• develop experimental techniques expressive of this awareness;

• be able to research, develop and edit extended creative projects showing some innovative flair.

Workshop participation 10% and the writer's notebook 10% (due at the end of the semester). All students are required to submit a short review and a draft project proposal (of not more than 500 words including a synopsis, critical reflection and draft extract) for feedback and will be resubmitted in a refined form together with the completed writing project. A writing project of 4500 words including the revised synopsis and critical reflection of 500 words 80% (due at the end of the semester). Students are required to attend a minimum of 75% of classes in order to have their work assessed in this subject.

A subject reader will be available from the University Bookshop. Recommended Reading: Current issue of 'This', Melbourne: Crooked Styles Press, University of Melbourne.

• Current issue of, This. Crooked Styles Press (School of Culture & Communication).