SUMMATIVE CRITICAL COMMENTARY - 2019/0

Module Overview

This is a Level M compulsory module for the MFA in Creative Writing.

The content of the module depends in each case on the specific subject, literary mode and genre of writing as chosen by the student in consultation with their tutor.

Module provider

School of Literature and Languages

Module Leader

THOMPSON Carl (Lit & Langs)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 7

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Year long

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

None.

Module content

Indicative content includes:

• Planning and carrying out research


• The theory and practice of self-reflexive critical writing


• Techniques of planning and writing


• Theories of practice-based Research


• Project-specific reading, discussion and critical analysis

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

N/A

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate the ability to:

• plan and structure a complex argument in written form;


• produce a polished and research-informed piece of self-reflexive critical writing, situating their work in literary, theoretical and historical context


• Develop and display knowledge in a specialized subject, area or period and command of terminology

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:

• A 3,000 word reflective critical commentary

Formative assessment and feedback

Formative assessment is designed to assist students in an engaging with the subject matter of the module and its context, as well as to encourage them in the development of academic and critical writing skills.

Students will receive regular formative feedback (verbal and/or written) on samples of written work over the course of the semester (maximum of 2,000 words).

Other feedback methods may include online group or face to face peer feedback exchanges within the cohort for this module, as well as individual editing exercises and blog and micro-blogging response exercises.

Module aims

•  Demonstrate a thorough understanding of the main principles and challenges of creative writing;
• Relate developments in the field of English Literature to the social, political and historical contexts of their own creative work
• Distinguish different approaches to literary production and reflect upon these in their own;
• Develop a critical engagement with various theoretical approaches and methods;
• Identify and explain relevant techniques and strategies for producing high-quality creative writing.

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to offer advanced experience in:

• Developing students’ autonomy as learners, through supervision and guidance from an experienced researcher;


• Training students to gather knowledge of the current state of scholarship on a specific subject related to or deriving from their own creative work;


• Equipping students with the skills needed to frame working hypotheses, to evaluate them in the light of counter-arguments and counter-evidence, and to revise them.

The learning and teaching methods include:

• Up to six hours of one-on-one tutorial contact


• Around 144 hours of guided research (suggested reading, guided research, writing and revision)

Special attention should be paid to the ‘Creative Writing Submissions – About Assessments’ document, available on SurreyLearn for guidance on critical reflection and interaction.

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: ELIM032

Programmes this module appears in

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2019/0 academic year.