Writing Women: An Introduction to Feminism in Poetry and Prose

Overview

This course will explore the various ways in which feminism can be translated to creative writing. We will uncover elements of feminism in works by writers such as Zoë Brigley, Fiona Benson, Angela Carter, and Amber Sparks amongst others. During this course, we will embolden the women of fairy tale, myth, history, and our own lives and discuss what feminism means to us as writers. Through prompts and writing exercises, students will challenge misogynistic portrayals of women in creative work, bring the marginalised to the forefront, and give voice to the silenced.

Programme

Each week’s topic will encompass reading of selected texts, analysis and discussion, followed by writing exercises (poetry and prose) as well as a reflective journal.
Sessions will include:

• Introduction | presentation and discussion of feminism in literature
• Tropes: the virgin and the whore
• The one’s left behind, forgotten voices
• Women in portraits, subverting the male gaze
• Writing the self as a woman

Learning Outcomes 

On completion of this module, students should be able to:

1. Demonstrate a broad understanding of what feminism constitutes within a literary context
2. Demonstrate an ability to write with nuance about female characters
3. Produce a portfolio of writing assembled over the course of the module
4. Produce a piece of written work for assessment
5. Engage with, analyse and discuss selected texts
6. Discuss development of own and others’ writing through workshopping and feedback
7. Reflect on their own work through a reflective journal, (to be shared with the tutor only)

Assessments

• Creative Writing portfolio of either three poems or one piece of prose (500 words) and a 1500 word critical commentary (1,2,4) OR
• A 1500 word essay responding to a set question analysing some of the texts explored throughout the module (1,4,5)  (100%) 

Skills

1. Creative Problem Solving
   The writing portfolio and group discussions will help analysis and editing of their own and others’ writing
2. Critical and Analytical Thinking
   The writing portfolio will present the students with opportunity to analyse and evaluate information from critical sources and essays
3. Adaptability and Resilience
   The course places emphasis on positive feedback, working with others, self-reflection and communicating with different audiences (through written work and feedback)
4. Digital Capacity
   Students will use Blackboard and Panopto to access sessions
5. Reflection
   Students will keep a reflective journal for the purposes of exploring their own experiences week by week
6. Professional Communication
   Feeding back and commenting on others’ creative pieces will give students opportunity to develop communication skills
7. Real world sense
   Time-management and meeting deadlines to upload work every week
8. Co-ordinating with others
   Working with others to build a sense of community within the module
9. Subject specific skills
   Creative writing, both poetry and prose

Reading Suggestions

The World’s Wife, Carol Ann Duffy, (London: Faber, 2000)

Entry Requirements

This course is for everyone. No previous experience is needed and there are no formal entry requirements.

What do I Need

As this is an online course, you would need the following: 

• Internet access.
  
• Access to a laptop or computer with a web camera and microphone; the use of headphones might also be of benefit.
• Use of the Chrome web-browser where possible.