Graduate Diploma of Literary Studies
2025 Deakin University Handbook
| Year | 2025 course information |
|---|---|
| Award granted | Graduate Diploma of Literary Studies |
| Deakin course code | A635 |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts and Education |
| Online | Yes |
| Duration | 1 year full-time or part-time equivalent |
| Course Map - enrolment planning tool | This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 1 2025. This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 2 2025. Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser in Student Central. |
| 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
- Career opportunities
- Participation requirements
- Mandatory student checks
- Course Learning Outcomes
- Course rules
- Course structure
- Work experience
- Other learning experiences
- Fees and charges
Course overview
Transform your passion for reading and writing into in-demand professional skills through Deakin’s Graduate Diploma of Literary Studies. In it, you will explore a diverse range of literary texts and theories and refine your analytical, writing and critical thinking abilities, which are highly valued by employers. In addition, opportunities to get your work published or undertake an internship will give you sought-after industry experience and expand your professional network.
Under the guidance of academic staff who are leading international scholars and published authors, you will gain a broad exposure to contemporary and historical literature, expand your knowledge of literary theory, and develop a nuanced understanding of how texts function. This in-depth knowledge combined with industry-relevant experiences will equip you with a unique skill set ready for an exciting career in your chosen field.
Ready to achieve your dream of a fulfilling career working with the written word?
Through this industry-shaped course, you will interrogate a diverse array of writing forms (fiction, non-fiction, memoir, genre fiction) and explore how certain ideas and ideologies are either perpetuated or disrupted through the written word. This rich curation of texts both new and familiar will expand your literary horizons and help you strengthen your ability to identify, analyse and experiment with the specific techniques that bring great literary texts to life.
Take advantage of Deakin’s strong partnerships with industry through the opportunity to undertake an internship at organisations such as literary festivals, publishing houses, literary agents, libraries, copywriting agencies and literary magazines. You’ll also get the chance to have your work published in publications such as Deakin’s long-standing international literary journal, Verandah.
Deakin’s new annual postgraduate publication, which features select creative works from postgraduate students, provides further opportunity for your work to be published or for you to gain valuable experience working behind the scenes on production.
Whether you are looking to embark on further research in a related field or forge your path in the publishing or creative industries, this course will equip you with the real-world experience and transferable skills to give you a competitive edge as you pursue the career you want.
Career opportunities
As a literary studies graduate, you will have the in-depth knowledge and professional analytical and writing skills to pursue a variety of career opportunities across public and private sectors including communications, advertising, publishing, education and research.
Career opportunities include: author, editor, copywriter, literary agent.
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.
Course Learning Outcomes
| Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes | Course Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|
| Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities | Articulate specialist knowledge of a range of literary theories, concepts, and approaches, and apply them to works of literature. |
| 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 evaluate the influence of narrative strategies, genre conventions and cultural assumptions and apply to the examination of works of literature. |
| Problem solving | Apply theoretical, historical and contemporary critical and analytical approaches to the sophisticated design and execution of solutions to a range of scholarly, aesthetic and ideological problems that emerge from the analysis 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, and critically analyse culturally relevant literary theories, concepts, and approaches to interpreting works of literature. |
Approved at Faculty Board September 2021
Course rules
To complete the Graduate Diploma of Literary Studies students must pass 8 credit points and meet the following course rules to be eligible to graduate:
- DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in their first study period
- 1 credit point core unit
- 4 credit points of course electives
- 3 credit points of electives chosen from units within the specialisations of the Master of Arts (Writing and Literature) or Master of Communication or the core or electives of the Master of Creative Arts including ACC700 Communication and Creative Arts Internship
Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements. See the enrolment codes and terminology to help make sense of the University’s vocabulary.
Course structure
Core unit
| ALL743 | Foundations in Narrative Theory |
Course Electives List A
Select 4 from the following:
| ALL705 | Vision and Revision: Short Stories Now |
| ALL706 | Fantasy and Historical Fictions |
| ALL708 | Graphic Narratives |
| ALL722 | Texts for Young Adults |
| ALL784 | Life Writing Now |
| ALL727 | Sex, the Body, and American Poetry |
Students may choose to include the 5th unit listed above as 1 of the 3 electives
Electives
3 credit points of electives chosen from units within the specialisations of the Master of Arts (Writing and Literature) or the Master of Communication or the core or electives of the Master of Creative Arts including ACC700 Communication and Creative Arts Internship.
Work experience
Elective units may provide the opportunity for Work Integrated Learning experiences.
Course duration
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as failing of units or accessing or completing placements.
Further information
Student Central can help you with course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements.
- Contact Student Central
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.
Fees and charges
Fees and charges vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study, and their study discipline or 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.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current students website.