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Course Outline

CMN260 Writing the Short Story

Course Coordinator:Lee McGowan (lmcgowa1@usc.edu.au) School:School of Business and Creative Industries

2024Semester 2

UniSC Sunshine Coast

UniSC Moreton Bay

 Blended learning Most of your course is on campus but you may be able to do some components of this course online.

Online

 Online You can do this course without coming onto campus.

Please go to usc.edu.au for up to date information on the
teaching sessions and campuses where this course is usually offered.

What is this course about?

Description

In this course you will read a range of canonical and contemporary short stories. You will gain understanding of the practices of writing a short story. You will write and present your own original short stories and enrich your creative practice through critical reflection and discussion.

How will this course be delivered?

Activity Hours Beginning Week Frequency
Blended learning
Learning materials – Interactive online learning activities. 1hr Week 1 12 times
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – Scheduled face to face workshops. 2hrs Week 1 12 times
Online
Learning materials – Interactive online learning activities. 1hr Week 1 12 times
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – Scheduled online workshops. 2hrs Week 1 12 times

Course Topics

What is the short story?

Plot and structure              

Character, Setting and Point of View              

Voice, Style and Theme

Genre(s)

Form

Publishing your work

What level is this course?

200 Level (Developing)

Building on and expanding the scope of introductory knowledge and skills, developing breadth or depth and applying knowledge and skills in a new context. May require pre-requisites where discipline specific introductory knowledge or skills is necessary. Normally, undertaken in the second or third full-time year of an undergraduate programs.

What is the unit value of this course?

12 units

How does this course contribute to my learning?

Course Learning Outcomes On successful completion of this course, you should be able to... Graduate Qualities Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming...
1 Demonstrate knowledge of a range of essential narrative elements and techniques used in short story writing practice Knowledgeable
Engaged
2 Analyse short stories using scholarly conventions, critical thinking and application of theory to practice Creative and critical thinker
Empowered
3 Create written artefacts in alignment with industry standards in professional presentation and communication Creative and critical thinker
Ethical
4 Create short story artefacts that utilise concepts in course content and respond to canonical and/or contemporary exemplars. Knowledgeable
Creative and critical thinker

Am I eligible to enrol in this course?

Refer to the UniSC Glossary of terms for definitions of “pre-requisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites”.

Pre-requisites

Not applicable

Co-requisites

Not applicable

Anti-requisites

Not applicable

Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (where applicable)

At the commencement of this course students are assumed to have foundational knowledge of and skills in narrative writing practice and its scholarship

How am I going to be assessed?

Grading Scale

Standard Grading (GRD)

High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL).

Details of early feedback on progress

Presentations in class and engagement with the presentations of peers will be assessed across semester and formally graded from Week 4. Feedback will be provided early and regularly.

Assessment tasks

Delivery mode Task No. Assessment Product Individual or Group Weighting % What is the duration / length? When should I submit? Where should I submit it?
All 1 Oral Individual 20% 
Min. three mins.
 Throughout teaching period (refer to Format) In Class
All 2 Artefact - Creative, and Written Piece Individual 35% 
1500 words
 Week 6 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All 3 Artefact - Creative, and Written Piece Individual 45% 
Short Story or excerpt from Short Story: 1500 words with an accompanying 1000 word critical analysis.
 Week 13 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All - Assessment Task 1:Presentation and Engagement
Goal: 
Short Story analysis
Product: Oral
Format: 
Oral presentation: your assessment will be delivered in an informal setting and will be based on engagement with the course readings materials and the work of your peers.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Identify and discuss short story conventions and apply relevant theoretical concepts to short stories
 2
2 
Demonstrate critical analysis of short story conventions and characteristics
3 
Demonstrate knowledge of short story writing and related narrative elements and techniques
 1
All - Assessment Task 2:Short Story
Goal: 
Craft an original short story
Product: Artefact - Creative, and Written Piece
Format: 
Compose a 1500 word short story that aligns with learning materials on the course.

You must accompany your short story with 500 words of critical analysis that focuses on a narrative element or technique or related concepts employed in your short story. 

Note: This is not a critical reflection, rather this is a critically reflexive exercise. An extension of your critical thinking in relation to the craft of short story writing.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Demonstrate knowledge of fundamental narrative elements and techniques in relation to short story writing practice
 1
2 
Create an original short story
 3
3 
deliver a creative artefact that addresses and meets publishing industry standards and expectations
 3
4 
create a work that responds to and employs narrative elements and concepts discussed in class and in the course learning materials
 4
All - Assessment Task 3:Short Story
Goal: 
Craft an original short story and or excerpt of an original short story and provide accompanying critical analysis.
Product: Artefact - Creative, and Written Piece
Format: 
Compose an original short story, or excerpt of a short story. Word length 2000 words.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Demonstrate knowledge of essential narrative elements employed in short story writing.
 1
2 
Create a short story artefacts that responds to at least exemplars and one concept examined in course learning materials.
 4
3 
Demonstrate application of relevant theory and practical short story writing skills in the creation and the provision of related critical analysis of an original short work.

Directed study hours

A 12-unit course will have total of 150 learning hours which will include directed study hours (including online if required), self-directed learning and completion of assessable tasks. Student workload is calculated at 12.5 learning hours per one unit.

What resources do I need to undertake this course?

Please note: Course information, including specific information of recommended readings, learning activities, resources, weekly readings, etc. are available on the course Canvas site– Please log in as soon as possible.

Prescribed text(s) or course reader

There are no required/recommended resources for this course.

Specific requirements

Not applicable

How are risks managed in this course?

Health and safety risks for this course have been assessed as low. It is your responsibility to review course material, search online, discuss with lecturers and peers and understand the health and safety risks associated with your specific course of study and to familiarise yourself with the University’s general health and safety principles by reviewing the online induction training for students, and following the instructions of the University staff.

What administrative information is relevant to this course?

Assessment: Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is the ethical standard of university participation.  It ensures that students graduate as a result of proving they are competent in their discipline.  This is integral in maintaining the value of academic qualifications. Each industry has expectations and standards of the skills and knowledge within that discipline and these are reflected in assessment.

Academic integrity means that you do not engage in any activity that is considered to be academic fraud; including plagiarism, collusion or outsourcing any part of any assessment item to any other person.  You are expected to be honest and ethical by completing all work yourself and indicating in your work which ideas and information were developed by you and which were taken from others. You cannot provide your assessment work to others. You are also expected to provide evidence of wide and critical reading, usually by using appropriate academic references.

In order to minimise incidents of academic fraud, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks, when submitted to Canvas, are electronically checked through Turnitin.  This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work to which Turnitin has access.

Assessment: Additional Requirements

Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying:

The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4%
The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale
You have not failed an assessment task in the course due to academic misconduct

Assessment: Submission penalties

Late submission of assessment tasks may be penalised at the following maximum rate: 
- 5% (of the assessment task's identified value) per day for the first two days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. 
- 10% (of the assessment task's identified value) for the third day - 20% (of the assessment task's identified value) for the fourth day and subsequent days up to and including seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. 
- A result of zero is awarded for an assessment task submitted after seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. Weekdays and weekends are included in the calculation of days late. To request an extension you must contact your course coordinator to negotiate an outcome.

SafeUniSC

UniSC is committed to a culture of respect and providing a safe and supportive environment for all members of our community. For immediate assistance on campus contact SafeUniSC by phone: 07 5430 1168 or using the SafeZone app. For general enquires contact the SafeUniSC team by phone 07 5456 3864 or email safe@usc.edu.au.

The SafeUniSC Specialist Service is a Student Wellbeing service that provides free and confidential support to students who may have experienced or observed behaviour that could cause fear, offence or trauma. To contact the service call 07 5430 1226 or email studentwellbeing@usc.edu.au.

Study help

For help with course-specific advice, for example what information to include in your assessment, you should first contact your tutor, then your course coordinator, if needed.

If you require additional assistance, the Learning Advisers are trained professionals who are ready to help you develop a wide range of academic skills. Visit the Learning Advisers web page for more information, or contact Student Central for further assistance: +61 7 5430 2890 or studentcentral@usc.edu.au.

Wellbeing Services

Student Wellbeing provide free and confidential counselling on a wide range of personal, academic, social and psychological matters, to foster positive mental health and wellbeing for your academic success.

To book a confidential appointment go to Student Hub, email studentwellbeing@usc.edu.au or call 07 5430 1226.

AccessAbility Services

Ability Advisers ensure equal access to all aspects of university life. If your studies are affected by a disability, learning disorder mental health issue, injury or illness, or you are a primary carer for someone with a disability or who is considered frail and aged, AccessAbility Services can provide access to appropriate reasonable adjustments and practical advice about the support and facilities available to you throughout the University.

To book a confidential appointment go to Student Hub, email AccessAbility@usc.edu.au or call 07 5430 2890.

Links to relevant University policy and procedures

For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including:

  • Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs
  • Review of Assessment and Final Grades
  • Supplementary Assessment
  • Central Examinations
  • Deferred Examinations
  • Student Conduct
  • Students with a Disability

For more information, visit https://www.usc.edu.au/explore/policies-and-procedures#academic-learning-and-teaching

Student Charter

UniSC is committed to excellence in teaching, research and engagement in an environment that is inclusive, inspiring, safe and respectful. The Student Charter sets out what students can expect from the University, and what in turn is expected of students, to achieve these outcomes.

General Enquiries

  • In person:
    • UniSC Sunshine Coast - Student Central, Ground Floor, Building C, 90 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs
    • UniSC Moreton Bay - Service Centre, Ground Floor, Foundation Building, Gympie Road, Petrie
    • UniSC SouthBank - Student Central, Building A4 (SW1), 52 Merivale Street, South Brisbane
    • UniSC Gympie - Student Central, 71 Cartwright Road, Gympie
    • UniSC Fraser Coast - Student Central, Student Central, Building A, 161 Old Maryborough Rd, Hervey Bay
    • UniSC Caboolture - Student Central, Level 1 Building J, Cnr Manley and Tallon Street, Caboolture
  • Tel:+61 7 5430 2890
  • Email:studentcentral@usc.edu.au
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