UNIVERSITY OF KENT
SECTION 1: MODULE SPECIFICATIONS
1.
Title of the module Elements of Fiction
2.
School which will be responsible for management of the module School of English
3.
Start date of the module September 2013
4.
The cohort of students (onwards) to which the module will be applicable 2012- 2013
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The number of students expected to take the module 60
6.
Modules to be withdrawn on the introduction of this proposed module and consultation
with other relevant Schools and Faculties regarding the withdrawal This module
replaces the existing core module EN613 Reading and Writing the Self
7.
Level of the module I
8.
The number of credits which the module represents 30
9.
Which term(s) the module is to be taught in (or other teaching pattern) Period 1
(Autumn term)
10. Prerequisite and co-requisite modules Co-requisite of either of the new Stage 2,
Period 2 core Creative Writing modules
11. The programme(s) of study to which the module contributes This is a Stage 2 core
module on the degree programme EAMLITCW
12. The intended subject specific learning outcomes
By the end of the module students will:
1. Read and respond to a range of short stories and novels as technical
exemplars of the craft of fiction writing.
2. Identify and evaluate the technical and stylistic choices made by the writer of
contemporary fiction.
3. Understand how these choices can be applied to their own writing.
4. Develop their capacities for close reading and editorial scrutiny.
5. Be able to apply these developed skills to the reading of fiction produced by
their classmates and by themselves.
6. Begin to be able to identify their own formal, stylistic and thematic
approaches.
7. Be able to reflect on the range of narrative, stylistic and technical choices
open to the contemporary writer.
8. Be able to apply sophisticated writing techniques to their own creative work.
13. The intended generic learning outcomes
1. Develop their capacities for close reading and editorial analysis.
2. Develop their creative writing skills to an advanced level.
3. Develop their communication skills, particularly in responding to others’ work
in the context of the workshop.
14. A synopsis of the curriculum
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UNIVERSITY OF KENT
This module will concentrate on, as it says, The Elements of Fiction. The
elements that will be covered are: point-of-view; characterisation; dialogue;
plot; structure and planning; voice and tone; description and imagery; location
and place; editing and re-editing; theme. Each week, there will be a different
technical theme, exemplified by prior reading. Students will discuss the set
texts, as exemplars of writerly craft. These discussions will be supported and
illustrated by writing exercises. As the term progresses, the focus will shift
more on to the students’ own work; and writing workshops will be an integral
part of the seminars.
15. Indicative Reading List
There will be a course reader, which will include novel excerpts and short
stories from among the following:
J.G. Ballard, Crash, Harper Perennial 2008
Donald Barthelme, 60 Stories, Penguin Classics 2005
Charlotte Brontë, Jane Eyre, Penguin Classics 2006
Raymond Carver, Where I’m Calling From:The Selected Stories, Harvill 1993
John Cheever, Collected Stories, Vintage 2009
Julio Cortázar, Blow-Up & Other Stories, Pantheon 2004
Stephen Crane, The Red Badge of Courage & Other Stories, Oxford, 2008
Junot Díaz, Drown, Faber & Faber 2008
F. Scott Fitzgerald, Flappers & Philosophers: The Collected Short Stories, Penguin
2010
Ernest Hemingway, The First 49 Stories, Arrow 1995
Shirley Jackson, The Lottery & Other Stories, Penguin, 2009
BS Johnson, Christie Malry’s Own Double-Entry, Picador 2001
Denis Johnson, Jesus’ Son, Picador (USA) 2009
Grace Paley, Collected Short Stories, Virago 1999
Annie Proulx, Close Range, Fourth Estate, 2009
Jean Rhys, Wide Sargasso Sea, Penguin Modern Classics 2000
George Saunders, The Brief and Frightening Reign of Phil, Bloomsbury 2007
Evelyn Waugh, A Handful of Dust, Penguin Modern Classics 2000
Richard Yates, Revolutionary Road, Vintage Classsics 2007
16. Learning and Teaching Methods, including the nature and number of contact hours and
the total study hours which will be expected of students, and how these relate to
achievement of the intended learning outcomes
1 weekly two-hour seminar for mini-lectures, discussion, student presentations,
group work and writing workshops, plus up to 10 additional hours for
workshops and/or tutorials
Students will be expected to study for 25 hours a week (including seminar
time). Total 300 hours.
All learning outcomes outlined above will be achieved via these methods. Minilectures and seminars will specifically address the subject specific learning
outcomes 1,2, 3 and 7 and the generic learning outcome 1. Workshop sessions
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UNIVERSITY OF KENT
and tutorials will specifically address the subject specific learning outcomes 4,
5, 6 and 8, and generic learning outcomes 2 and 3.
17. Assessment methods and how these relate to testing achievement of the intended
learning outcomes
This module will be assessed on the basis coursework as follows:
25% mid term assignment of 1,500 – 2,000 word essay on one or more aspects
of technical craft with relation both to pre-existing texts and to their own work
65% work of original fiction - There will be an extended deadline to the
beginning of the Spring term for students to produce a work, or portfolio of
work, of original fiction of between 4,000 and 5,000 words
10% for seminar and workshop contribution.
The written work will test the achievement of the intended learning outcomes in
the following ways. The essay will test the subject-specific learning outcomes
1, 2, 3, 6 and 7, and the generic learning outcome 1. The work of original fiction
will test the subject-specific learning outcomes 3, 5, 6 and 8, and the generic
learning outcome 2. The seminar contributions and workshops will test the
subject-specific learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 8; and the generic learning
outcome 3.
18. Implications for learning resources, including staff, library, IT and space
A large seminar room will be required (to facilitate workshops and group work).
A PC with projector will also be required to enable projection of students’ work
in workshops.
19. The School recognises and has embedded the expectations of current disability
equality legislation, and supports students with a declared disability or special
educational need in its teaching. Within this module we will make reasonable
adjustments wherever necessary, including additional or substitute materials,
teaching modes or assessment methods for students who have declared and
discussed their learning support needs. Arrangements for students with declared
disabilities will be made on an individual basis, in consultation with the
University’s disability/dyslexia support service, and specialist support will be
provided where needed.
20. Campus(es) where module will be delivered1
Canterbury
21. If the module is part of a programme in a Partner College or Validated Institution, please
complete the following:
22. Partner College/Validated Institution
23. University School (for cognate programmes) or Faculty (for non-cognate programmes)
responsible for the programme
SECTION 2: MODULE IS PART OF A PROGRAMME OF STUDY IN A UNIVERSITY
SCHOOL
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Required for information purposes only. Changes of campus will not require re-approval of the
module specification.
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UNIVERSITY OF KENT
Statement by the School Director of Learning and Teaching/School Director of
Graduate Studies (as appropriate): "I confirm I have been consulted on the above module
proposal and have given advice on the correct procedures and required content of module
proposals"
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Director of Learning and Teaching/Director of Graduate
Studies (delete as applicable)
Date
…………………………………………………
Print Name
Statement by the Head of School: "I confirm that the School has approved the introduction
of the module and, where the module is proposed by School staff, will be responsible for its
resourcing"
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Head of School
Date
…………………………………………………….
Print Name
SECTION 3: MODULE IS PART OF A PROGRAMME IN A PARTNER COLLEGE OR
VALIDATED INSTITUTION
(Where the module is proposed by a Partner College/Validated Institution)
Statement by the Nominated Officer of the College/Validated Institution (delete as
applicable): "I confirm that the College/Validated Institution (delete as applicable) has
approved the introduction of the module and will be responsible for its resourcing"
.................................................................
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Nominated Responsible Officer of Partner
College/Validated Institution
Date
………………………………………………….
Print Name
…………………………………………………..
Post
………………………………………….
Partner College/Validated Institution
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UNIVERSITY OF KENT
Module Specification Template
Last updated November 2011
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