Graduate Certificate of Writing and Literature

2023 Deakin University Handbook

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Year

2023 course information

Award granted Graduate Certificate of Writing and Literature
Course Map

This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 1 2023. 

This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 2 2023. 

This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 3 2023. 

Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser in Student Central.

CampusOffered at Burwood (Melbourne)
OnlineYes
Duration

0.5 year full time or equivalent

Deakin course codeA535
Approval status

This course is approved by the University under the Higher Education Standards Framework.

Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition

The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 8.

Course sub-headings

Course overview

Turn your love for reading and writing into a successful career with the Graduate Certificate of Writing and Literature. Get an introduction to the craft and conventions of creative writing, professional writing and publishing, and use this course as a stepping stone into the Master of Arts (Writing and Literature).

Ready to explore the work of great authors while developing your own writing skills?

If you’re looking to change the narrative of your career, the Graduate Certificate of Writing and Literature gives you the skills and practical experience you need to take the next step. Discover how to make your words stand out from the sea of content that exists in today’s digital age and gain a deep understanding of the theory and craft stemming from traditional literature. The course attracts a diverse group of students with a shared passion for writing, from authors to marketers, lawyers to teachers, all striving to become confident writers and brilliant communicators.

The course can be used as an entry point into the Master of Arts (Writing and Literature) and includes two core units from the masters program.

You’ll then choose your remaining two units from a broad list of writing and literature study areas. This allows you to build specialist skills and design a degree based on your career aspirations.

Importantly, the course provides more than just writing expertise. The projects and assessment tasks you work on train you in transferable skills, including critical analysis, communication, problem solving and research – incredibly valuable in every field of work. You’ll also get to debate literature, creativity and modern writing challenges with like-minded people from different corners of business and life. This exposure to new ways of thinking helps you develop as a writer and shows you how literature can be used to make sense of different aspects of culture, place and history.

Career opportunities

You’ll graduate from this course with more than just advanced writing skills. You’ll also have expertise in communication, problem solving, critical thinking and research – the kind of skills employers across all industries value.

This course puts you in a strong position to explore a range of career pathways, including:

  • author
  • editor
  • literary critic
  • publisher
  • advertising executive
  • communications specialist
  • copywriter
  • journalist
  • public relations practitioner
  • English teacher.
For those looking to continue their studies, this course is an approved pathway into the Graduate Diploma of Writing and Literature and Master of Arts (Writing and Literature).

For more information go to DeakinTALENT

Participation requirements

Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. More information available at Disability support services.

Mandatory student checks

Any unit which contains work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, Working with Children Check or other check.

Fees and charges

Fees and charges vary depending on your course, the type of fee place you hold, your commencement year, the units you choose and your study load.

Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.

Use the Fee estimator to see course and unit fees applicable to your course and type of place. Further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods is available on our Current students fees website.

Course Learning Outcomes

Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes

Course Learning Outcomes

Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities

Articulate specialist knowledge of a range of literary and creative writing theories, concepts, and approaches, and apply them to the study of literature and the production of written work

Communication

Communicate through writing that employs advanced command of the critical and theoretical vocabularies and language required to interpret, argue and fluently and persuasively transmit ideas about writing and literature.

Digital literacy

Employ a range of technologies and make evaluative judgments in the use of research databases, bibliographic and digital communication technologies to research, produce and present scholarly work in writing and literature.

Critical thinking

Utilise theory and research to critically analyse and apply appropriate forms and conventions in writing and to evaluate the influence of narrative strategies, genre conventions and cultural assumptions on works of literature.

Problem solving

Apply a range of theoretical, historical and contemporary critical and analytical approaches to the design and execution of solutions to a range of scholarly, aesthetic and ideological problems that emerge from the analysis and writing of literature

Self-management

Act with autonomy and initiative while being accountable for working effectively, efficiently and to a high standard in order to achieve goals in writing and literature.

Teamwork

Actively contribute to peer feedback activities and make constructive, respectful, and informed contributions to creative and critical collaboration in writing and literature

Global citizenship

Identify, select, critically analyse, and apply culturally relevant literary theories, concepts, and approaches to writing and interpreting works of literature.

Approved by Faculty Board September 2021

Course rules

To qualify for the award of Graduate Certificate of Writing and Literature, students must successfully complete 4 credit points of study comprised of: 

  • 2 credit points of core units; 
  • 1 credit point of Writing units;
  • 1 credit point of Literature units;
  • AAI018 Academic Integrity (0-credit-point compulsory unit)

Course structure

Core Units

ALL743Foundations in Narrative Theory

ALW740Foundations in Writing

Writing and Literature units

Writing units 

Select 1 credit point not previously studied from:

ACA715Creating Your Arts Business

ALC708Social Media Content Creation

ALJ716Writing the News

ALW730Creative Nonfiction: the Personal Essay

ALW732Fiction Writing: Story, Structure and Starting Out

ALW738Editing

ALW739Publishing

ALL705Vision and Revision: Short Stories Now

ALL784Life Writing Now

ALL727Sex, the Body, and American Poetry

Literature units 

Select 1 credit point not previously studied from:

ALL705Vision and Revision: Short Stories Now

ALL706Fantasy and Historical Fictions

ALL708Graphic Narratives

ALL721Writing for Children

ALL722Texts for Young Adults

ALL784Life Writing Now

ALL727Sex, the Body, and American Poetry

Work experience

Elective units may provide the opportunity for Work Integrated Learning experiences.


Other course information

Course duration - additional information

Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as accessing or completing work placements.

Further information

Student Central can help you with course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements.

Other learning experiences

There will be opportunities throughout the course for students to engage with industry professionals. These experiences will be integrated into units where students will have external clients or industry representatives provide content to more closely connect the learning experience with industry practices.