Module Information
Course Delivery
| Delivery Type | Delivery length / details |
|---|---|
| Seminar | 11 x 2 Hour Seminars |
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | Assignment 1 A researched story set either in the Second World War or the Nineteenth Century (2000 words, 60%) and a critical commentary including reference to one or more of the set books and evidence of historical research (1000 words, 40%) | 50% |
| Semester Assessment | Assignment 2 A researched story set either in the Early Modern period or the Middle Ages (2000 words, 60%) and a critical commentary including reference to one or more of the set books and evidence of historical research (1000 words, 40%) | 50% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Repeat failed elements |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
1. Plan and carry out appropriate research for historical stories.
2. Write historical fiction, using appropriate materials and techniques.
3. Improve their work in response to feedback from peers and tutors.
4. Reflect critically on their own writing and research processes.
5. Reflect critically on texts covering the same historical period.
Aims
To develop the skills of writing and research necessary for historical fiction.
Brief description
The module will follow the standard pattern for creative writing options of ten 2-hour workshops. The first of these will serve as an introduction to historical fiction in general, while the last will recapitulate what students have learned during the module. In between there will be four pairs of workshops, each devoted to a particular historical period: World War II; the 19th Century, the Early Modern period, and the Middle Ages. The first workshop of each pair will be devoted to discussion of a set text set during the period in question. The second will be workshop students' own writing on the theme. The assignments will be two creative portfolios, each consisting of a historical story and a critical commentary detailing the research that went into it.
Content
Week 2: The Second World War 1. Discussion of a text set during the Second World War.
Week 3: The Second World War 2. Discussion of students' own writing set during the Second World War and informed by students' own research and a set of documents supplied by the tutor.
Week 4: The Nineteenth Century 1. Discussion of a text set during the nineteenth century.
Week 5: The Nineteenth Century 2. Discussion of students' own writing set during the nineteenth century and informed by students' own research and a set of documents supplied by the tutor.
Week 6: The Early Modern Period 1. Discussion of a text set during the Early Modern period.
Week 7: The Early Modern Period 2. Discussion of students' own writing set during the Early Modern period and informed by students' own research and a set of documents supplied by the tutor.
Week 8: The Middle Ages 1. Discussion of a text set during the Middle Ages.
Week 9: The Middle Ages 2. Discussion of students' own writing set during the Middle Ages and informed by students' own research and a set of documents supplied by the tutor.
Week 10: Recapitulation. Students will discuss their own experiences of historical research and how it has informed their writing.
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Application of Number | N/A |
| Communication | Through class interaction (not assessed) and written assignments. |
| Improving own Learning and Performance | Through ongoing revision of work. |
| Information Technology | Through use of Blackboard and workprocessing skills. |
| Personal Development and Career planning | No. |
| Problem solving | Through dealing with problems of writing and research. |
| Research skills | Through research for written work. |
| Subject Specific Skills | Technical skills appropriate to historical fiction. Critical self-reflection. |
| Team work | Through class discussion in seminars and workshops. |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 6