Please note - Swinburne University of Technology

20th century the emphasis is on developments and
continuities of earlier mgvements and initiatives, as well as
important changes marking the emergence of 'modern'
literature.
Preliminary reading
Bond, M.N. 20th Century American Literature. U.S.A.: Arden Library,
1979
Buell, L. Literary Transcendentalism: Style and Vision in the American
Renaizsance. Ithaca: Cornell Uniersity Press, 1973
Cunliffe. M. The Literature of the United States. United Kingdom:
Harmondsworth: 4th ed, New York: Penguin, 1986
Matthiessen, F.O. American Renaissance. London: Oxford University
Press, 1977
Thorp, W. American Writing in the 20th Century U.S.A. Ann Arbor:
Michigan University Microfilms International, 1986
'AL306
Renaissance Literary Culture
(Not offered in 1994)
No. of hours per week: three hours
Prerequisites: two stage two literature subjects or
approved equivalents
Assessment: continuous
The principal aim of this subject is to critically investigate the
ways in which we read and interpret the literature of the
Renaissance. Not losing sight of our position as late
twentieth century reader;, this subject explores the place
that literature occupied within Renaissance culture as a
whole. Drawing on contemporary theoretical models, it seeks
to relate the historical phenomenon of the Renaissance to
the modernlpostmodern debate.
Recommended reading
Healy, T. New Latitudes. Theory and English Renaisrance Literature.
London: Edward Arnold, 1992
* Not available to students who have previously passed
AL203 Renaissance Literature.
AL400 Reading and Writing Seminar
No. of hours per week: two hours per fornight
over two semesters
Assessment: folio and participation in seminars
and workshops
Subject aims and description
The aim of this subject is to present students with a wide
variety of options in writing and its production, together
with a time and a place to explore in greater depth
elements of the elective subjects which are of special interest
to them. Seminars may take a variety of forms, from
"Writers Reading" sessions in which original work is
presented, to the formal and informal seminar, the writers'
workshop, the element of dramatic performance. As part of
their course students will be encouraged to attend and
report on public functions such as the Melbourne Writers'
Festival and participate in community arts events, e.g. open
reading at various Melbourne venues. It is envisaged that
students will produce a collection of their writing as part of
the year's activities.
References
Daniel, H. (ed.) Expressway. Ringwood: knguin, 1989
Daniel, H. (ed.) Millennium. Ringwood: Penguin, 1991
AL401 Writingproject
No. of hours per week: two hours per fortnight
over two semesters
Prerequisite (or co-requisite for full-time students):
AL400 Reading and Writing Seminar
Instruction: workshop and supervision
Assessment: an extended piece of writing and
workshop participation
Subject aims and description
This subject provides students with the opportunity to work
on an extended piece of writing in an atmosphere of
support, encouragement and mutual critical advice. It allows
for expansion and elaboration of themes encountered in
previous writing subjects, with an anticipated outcome being
"finding one's own voice': A series of workshops will
provide the basis for the evolution of the longer work out of
preliminary drafts.
Reference
Grenville, K. The Writing Book. A Wrkbook for Fiction Writers.
Sydney: Allen and Unwin, 1992
AL402 Writing, Theory, Praxis
No. of hours per week: three hours
Assessment: essay, creative piece, folio and
workshop participation
Subject aims and description
This subject is an exploration of the relationship between
various theories and practices of writing. Combining modern
literaly and critical theories, practical workshop writing, and
the examination of a wide range of literary genres, this
subject is an investigation of what writing is, how it is
produced and how it operates within a changing culture.
The aim of this subject is to involve students in the creative
and critical processes of reading and writing. As a departure
from historicist studies of literary theory, reading, writing and
criticism will be conducted in a way that invites students to
explore and to investigate questions rather than seek predetermined
answers. Apart from coordinated class and
assessment activities students will also be encouraged to
pursue their own theoretical inquiries and creative projects
and to initiate alternative forms of presentation.
References
Barthes, R. Roland Banhes by Roland Banhes. London: Macmillan,
1977
Borges. 1.-L. Labyrinths. London: knguin, 1989
Frame, 1. To the Is-land. London: Paladin, 1987
Newton, K. (ed.) Twentieth Centuy Literaty Thwry. Basingstoke,
Macmillan, 1988
AL403 Narrative Writing
No. of hours per week: three hours
Assessment: a folio of writing. workshop
participation and exercises
Subject aims and description
This subject will introduce students to the range of skills
required of the professional writer of fiction. A series of
workshop exercises will develop skills in creating character.
dialogue and dramatic tension. Point of view, voice, form,
style, plot, tone, and description and their place in building a
story will be explored. The importance of revision, listening
to criticism and developing a self-critical stance will be
stressed, together with techniques for developing these
personal skills. Developing skills in critical and creative
thinking and the application of these skills in various
practices of writing fiction will be included: e.g. plugging
into both rational and irrational processes; the role of
conjectural thinking, intuition and luck; the use of analogies,