Master of Arts (Writing and Literature)
2021 Deakin University Handbook
| Year | 2021 course information |
|---|---|
| Award granted | Master of Arts (Writing and Literature) |
| Course Map | This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 1 2021. This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 2 2021. This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 3 2021. Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser in Student Central. |
| Campus | Offered at Burwood (Melbourne) |
| Cloud Campus | Yes |
| Duration | Depending on your professional experience and previous qualifications, the Master of Arts (Writing and Literature) is typically 1, 1.5 or 2-years duration.
Deakin courses can also be studied part time over a longer period. |
| Deakin course code | A764 |
| 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 9. |
Course sub-headings
- Course overview
- Career opportunities
- Participation requirements
- Mandatory student checks
- Alternative exits
- Research information
- Fees and charges
- Course Learning Outcomes
- Course rules
- Course structure
- Work experience
- Details of specialisations
- Other learning experiences
Course overview
Hone your expertise in writing and literature and gain practical tools in critical analysis, editing and research. Whether you want to develop the skills to analyse literary works, build your creative writing practice, or craft publishable pieces of professional writing, the Master of Arts (Writing and Literature) will help fulfil your career aspirations.
Want to see where a mastery of the written word can take your career?
If you want to turn your lifelong passion for writing and literature into a professional career, this course gives you the practical experience to make your goals a reality. Equally, if you’re already working in the industry and looking to take the next step – whether that be in a new role or finally breaking through as a published author – we provide a high performing environment that allows your creativity to reach its full potential. Ultimately, the Master of Arts (Writing and Literature) aims to inspire you, so you can inspire audiences of your own.
Choose from four study specialisations to create a unique degree that matches your interests:
Our specialisations cater for many writing and literature professionals – from marketing professionals looking to boost sales through carefully crafted copy, to aspiring authors hoping to turn their book idea into a reality, and teachers wanting to add a new level of depth and rigour to their classroom. Alternatively, you may wish to study
cross-disciplinary units that provide a broader spread of learning topics. With this option, you’ll gain a deep understanding of the conventions of professional non-fiction writing, as well as the theory and craft stemming from traditional literature, all in the one degree.
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 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 grow as a writer and shows you how literature can be used to make sense of different aspects of culture, place and history.
For many students, a desired outcome of the course is to produce a published piece of work. Our academic staff are published authors and leading international scholars, so they know the process inside out, from first draft all the way to hitting the shelves.
Draw upon their experience and utilise their extensive network of writers, editors and publishers to get a foot in the door. Your thesis project, a highlight of the course, pairs you with one of our brilliant teachers. Your thesis might provide commentary on a classic piece of literature, or it could be an original piece of work. We’ll find you the ideal mentor based on your goals, interests and the writing you’re working on.
The course provides lots of exposure to industry work, trends and opportunities, better preparing you for the current and future needs of the field. Many students take advantage of our industry partnerships to secure internships at well-known publications. Verandah Journal, an annual student-run publication, showcases the best work of emerging writers and artists while giving students the chance to develop expertise in selecting, editing and proofreading submissions for publication. Better still, our academics are actively involved with a number of prominent writing festivals, ensuring we’ve got our finger on the pulse of emerging writing trends and industry needs.
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 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 (combined with an initial teaching qualification).
For more information go to 'DeakinTALENT
Participation requirements
Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. Click here for more information.
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.
Alternative exits
Research information
Students will undertake 7 credit points of research units consisting of research methods, theory and research-based project units where they will be required to complete a thesis comprising a creative production AND exegesis of 8000 words OR a written dissertation of 18,000-20,000 words.
Fees and charges
Fees and charges vary depending on your course, the type of fee place you hold, your commencement year and your study load. To find out about the fees and charges that apply to you, visit the Current students fees website or our handy Fee estimator to help estimate your tuition fees.
Course Learning Outcomes
| Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes | Course Learning Outcomes |
| Discipline specific knowledge and capabilities | Acquire an integrated knowledge of a range of relevant writing and literature theories, concepts, and approaches to the critical analysis, creation and/or production of texts. Acquire advanced understanding of the cultural, historical, professional and/or stylistic differences and contexts of the domains of writing and literature, which include Creative Writing, Children’s Literature, Professional Writing and/or Literary Studies. |
| Communication | Demonstrate specialised command of the technical and aesthetic elements of different forms of writing, including proficient use of critical, theoretical and professional vocabularies and language to create, define, interpret, argue and fluently transmit ideas in scholarly, professional and/or creative texts produced for a variety of audiences and contexts. |
| Digital literacy | Master generic, academic, bibliographic and industry-specific digital communication technologies to research, produce and present scholarly and creative works. Use judgement and discrimination in the identification and selection of relevant and credible information sources and with regard for their ethical use. |
| Critical thinking | Produce creative and critical works which address complex issues and ideas with rigor in the conduct of supporting research and presentation of evidence; Use mature critical judgment in the synthesis and application of theory; and mastery of the critical, technical and creative skills required to generate and evaluate texts produced by self and others. |
| Problem solving | Employ expert knowledge and skills in the use of specialist theoretical, historical and contemporary analytical and creative approaches to writing and literature that is reflected in the design and execution of creative and scholarly solutions to a range of technical, professional, aesthetic, critical and/or ideological problems. |
| Self-management | Demonstrate high-level initiative and independence, responsibility, accountability and a continued commitment to learning and skill development in writing and literature and as a reflective learner and practitioner in scholarly, industry and/or professional contexts. |
| Teamwork | Demonstrate commitment to ethical and collaborative participation in scholarly, learning and/or industry settings and active contribution to the accomplishment of mutual learning and professional goals. |
| Global citizenship | Develop and informed knowledge of the ethics of writing and interpreting textual representations of diverse groups, and insight into the influence of changing social, cultural and ideological factors on the production and consumption of creative, critical and professional texts. Use the highest standards of ethical conduct and social responsibility when engaging in scholarly, creative and/or professional practice in the local, national and international community. |
| Approved by Faculty Board November 2018 | |
Course rules
To qualify for the Master of Arts (Writing and Literature), a student must successfully complete 16 credit points of study comprising:
6 credit points of study in either of the following configurations:
Option 1
- 6 credit points from one of the specialisation options (Children's Literature, Creative Writing, Literary Studies, Professional Writing);
Plus
- 4 credit points of capstone units (Capstone A)
- 6 credit points of electives
or
- 6 credit points of capstone units (Capstone B)
- 4 credit points of elective units
Or
Option 2
- 6 credit points of cross-disciplinary study comprising ALW740, ALL743,
2 credit points of Literature units (Children's Literature and/or Literary Studies), and 2 credit points of units of Writing units (Creative Writing and/or Professional Writing), and including at least one unit from
ALL728 and ALW725
Plus
- 4 credit points of capstone units (Capstone A)
- 6 credit points of electives
or
- 6 credit points of capstone units (Capstone B)
- 4 credit points of elective units
All students must also complete: AAI018 Academic Integrity (0-credit-point compulsory unit)
Course structure
Capstone Units
Capstone A
| ALX705 | Critical and Creative Research Methods |
| ALX720 | Minor Research Project (2 credit points) |
| ALX726 | Masters Research Literary Theory |
Plus 6 credit points of elective units
Or
Capstone B (Minimum 70% WAM and subject to course director approval)
| ALX705 | Critical and Creative Research Methods |
| ALX722 | Masters Research Project A |
| ALX723 | Masters Research Project B |
| ALX724 | Masters Research Project C |
| ALX725 | Masters Research Project D |
| ALX726 | Masters Research Literary Theory |
Plus 4 credit points of elective units
Units
Either;
6 credit points from one of the specialisation options (Children's Literature, Creative Writing, Literary Studies, Professional Writing)
Or
6 credit points of cross-disciplinary study comprising of -
| ALW740 | Foundations in Writing |
| ALL743 | Foundations in Narrative Theory |
Plus 2 credit points of Literature units (Children's Literature and/or Literary Studies)
Plus 2 credit points of Writing units (Creative Writing and/or Professional Writing)
including at least one unit from -
| ALL728 | Literary Narratives |
or
| ALW725 | Writing Manifestos |
Electives
Electives are to be 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.
Note: The internship unit ACC700 is also available.
Work experience
Elective units may provide the opportunity for Work Integrated Learning experiences.
Details of specialisations
Literary Studies
Campuses
Burwood (Melbourne), Cloud (online)
Units
Students must complete:
| ALL743 | Foundations in Narrative Theory |
| ALL728 | Literary Narratives |
And complete 4 of the following units:
| ALL705 | Vision and Revision: Short Stories Now |
| ALL706 | Exploring Genre: Historical Fictions |
| ALL708 | Graphic Narratives |
| ALL722 | Texts for Young Adults |
| ALL784 | Life Writing Now |
Note: Students may complete all 5 available units by taking the 5th unit as 1 of their electives
Details of specialisations
Childrens Literature
Campuses
Cloud (online)
Units
Students must complete:
| ALL743 | Foundations in Narrative Theory |
| ALL728 | Literary Narratives |
And complete four of the following units:
| ALL706 | Exploring Genre: Historical Fictions |
| ALL708 | Graphic Narratives |
| ALL721 | Writing for Children |
| ALL722 | Texts for Young Adults |
| ALL784 | Life Writing Now |
Note: Students may complete all 5 available units by taking the 5th unit as 1 of their electives
Details of specialisations
Creative Writing
Campuses
Burwood (Melbourne), Cloud (online)
Units
Students must complete:
| ALW740 | Foundations in Writing |
| ALW725 | Writing Manifestos |
And complete 4 of the following units:
| ALL705 | Vision and Revision: Short Stories Now |
| ALL721 | Writing for Children |
| ALL784 | Life Writing Now |
| ALW730 | Creative Nonfiction: the Personal Essay |
| ALW732 | Fiction Writing: Story, Structure and Starting Out |
| ALW738 | Editing |
Note: Students may complete all 5 available units by taking the 5th unit as 1 of their electives
Details of specialisations
Professional Writing
Campuses
Burwood (Melbourne), Cloud (online)
Units
Students must complete:
| ALW740 | Foundations in Writing |
| ALW725 | Writing Manifestos |
And complete 4 of the following units:
| ALC708 | Social Media Content Creation |
| ALJ728 | Feature Writing |
| ALW738 | Editing |
| ALW739 | Publishing |
| ACA715 | Creating Your Arts Business |
Note: Students may complete all 5 available units by taking the 5th unit as 1 of their electives
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.
- 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.