Module Descriptors
COMMUNITY WRITERS
ENGL60273
Key Facts
Faculty of Arts and Creative Technologies
Level 6
30 credits
Contact
Leader: Lisa Mansell
Email: Lisa.Mansell@staffs.ac.uk
Hours of Study
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities: 30
Independent Study Hours: 270
Total Learning Hours: 300
Assessment
- REPORT weighted at 30%
- PORTFOLIO weighted at 50%
- WORK BOOK weighted at 20%
Module Details
Module Indicative Content
During the first semester, students will research and then pitch a series of workshops in various community settings, for example in local libraries, theatres, senior citizen centres, schools, local community groups. They will, in small groups, plan and programme a site-specific course in Creative Writing, including lesson plans, exercises, and reading lists. At the end of the first semester they will have completed the first part the of the assessment (Workbook / Programme Plans 20%) This section of the module is taught by weekly workshops.
In the second semester, the students engage in the practical aspect and deliver these workshops. Students will be expected to deliver approximately 20 hours of workshops, although this might vary depending on the site specific environment. At the end of the semester, students will write a 2000w written report, which may take the form of a personal essay or journal or their workshop experience and also a 3000w portfolio of writing that demonstrates their testing and working of the exercises and communicates the facilitation experience.
In the second semester, the students engage in the practical aspect and deliver these workshops. Students will be expected to deliver approximately 20 hours of workshops, although this might vary depending on the site specific environment. At the end of the semester, students will write a 2000w written report, which may take the form of a personal essay or journal or their workshop experience and also a 3000w portfolio of writing that demonstrates their testing and working of the exercises and communicates the facilitation experience.
Module Learning Strategies
300 hours of learning time in total, of which 20 will be spent in the placement.
The first semester is taught 2 hours per week over ten weeks. There will be tutorial support (10 hours) at the University in the second semester where regular appointments will be made to discuss progress, developments, problems, during the period of the placement-- guidance and advice will be provided. Tutors will help the students to prepare their programmes. Guidelines will be provided for the preparation of the report by the University supervisor, in a detailed module booklet.
The first semester is taught 2 hours per week over ten weeks. There will be tutorial support (10 hours) at the University in the second semester where regular appointments will be made to discuss progress, developments, problems, during the period of the placement-- guidance and advice will be provided. Tutors will help the students to prepare their programmes. Guidelines will be provided for the preparation of the report by the University supervisor, in a detailed module booklet.
Module Resources
Library holdings, internet
The Blackboard virtual learning environment will be available (where relevant) to support this module. Details will be supplied in the module handbook.
The Blackboard virtual learning environment will be available (where relevant) to support this module. Details will be supplied in the module handbook.
Module Texts
Philip Lopate, Journal of a Living Experiment. Teachers & Writers Collaborative ( 1979)
Natalie Goldberg. Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within Shambhala; Expanded edition (2005)
Anne Lamott.. Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life. Anchor; 1 edition (1995)
Pat Boran. The Portable Creative Writing Workshop. New Island Books (2005)
Natalie Goldberg. Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within Shambhala; Expanded edition (2005)
Anne Lamott.. Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life. Anchor; 1 edition (1995)
Pat Boran. The Portable Creative Writing Workshop. New Island Books (2005)
Module Additional Assessment Details
Workbook: 20% This will contain your lesson plans, research notes and reflexive journal notes. At least a page per lesson detailing the plan. (Learning outcomes 1, 2 and 3)
Written Report (2000 words): 30% This will be a report on the facilitation experience in either a traditional report format or in the form of a personal essay. (Learning outcomes 5 and 6)
Creative Writing Portfolio 50% (3000 words): Your creative work, which communicates the facilitation experience and demonstrates some of the exercises you have designed. (Learning outcomes 3, 4, 5, 6)
Written Report (2000 words): 30% This will be a report on the facilitation experience in either a traditional report format or in the form of a personal essay. (Learning outcomes 5 and 6)
Creative Writing Portfolio 50% (3000 words): Your creative work, which communicates the facilitation experience and demonstrates some of the exercises you have designed. (Learning outcomes 3, 4, 5, 6)