Objectives
Deakin's Bachelor of Arts (Professional and Creative Writing) aims to provide the qualities and attributes that will enable you to work both in specialised fields, and across professional boundaries. Initially you will undertake various forms of constructive, descriptive and narrative writing, progressing to editing, creative non-fiction and script writing as well as the traditional genres of poetry and fiction writing. You will develop broadly based skills in the processes of writing and revision, and gain expertise and practical experience across a range of genres, styles and professional environments. In all writing and editing units, the emphasis is on publication or the achievement of professional standards. The course will encourage you to explore new communication technologies both in the practical realms of professional communication and in cross-genre experimentation and creative production. You will also learn the practical skills necessary to support, create and collaborate in work across a range of forms, in writing, film, drama and new media. As part of the course you are required to complete a sub-major selected from areas of Anthropology, Australian Studies, Film Studies, History, Journalism, International Relations, Language and Culture Studies, Literary Studies, Philosophy, Public Relations, Politics and Policy Studies and Sociology.
Course description
Fees and charges
Equivalent Full Time Student Load (EFTSL)
EFTSL is the standard annual full time load. Eight credit points is the standard full time load for one year of study.
Commonwealth supported place (CSP)
A Commonwealth supported place is one for which the university receives some government funding. As such, students enrolled in these places are required to contribute only part of the cost of their course. To be eligible for a Commonwealth supported place you must be an Australian citizen, or a New Zealand citizen or holder of a permanent visa who will be residing in Australia for the duration of your unit/s of study. All Australian citizens, New Zealand citizens and holders of a permanent visa will receive a Student Learning Entitlement (SLE). The SLE entitles a student to the equivalent of 7 years of full time study in a Commonwealth supported place.
* The "indicative annual course fee" cited has been provided as a guide only. It has been calculated on the basis of a typical enrolment of a student undertaking the course in 2009, and reflects the cost involved in undertaking a full-time quota of units within the specified discipline.
The actual fees charged by Deakin University will depend upon the discipline from which each individual unit is chosen, and may vary from the indicative course fee cited, particularly if units are chosen from a number of disciplines.
Please note that the fees per unit/credit point may increase annually due to rises in the cost of course delivery and service.
Deakin assumes no responsibility for persons relying on "indicative course fees" to calculate the total future cost of their course.
Career opportunities
As a graduate of the Bachelor of Arts (Professional and Creative Writing), you may find employment in consumer goods and services companies, in freelance editing and writing, finance, health and manufacturing industries, government departments, media and entertainment industries, publishing companies and tourism, hospitality and service industries.
Course rules
To qualify for the Bachelor of Arts (Professional and Creative Writing) a student must complete 24 credit points of study, including:
* a major sequence of at least 8 credit points in Professional and Creative Writing
* a sub-major of 4 credit points selected from the major sequences of Anthropology , Australian Studies , Film Studies , History , Journalism , International Relations, Language and Culture Studies , Literary Studies , Philosophy , Public Relations , Politics and Policy Studies , Sociology
* no more than 8 credit points taken outside the course-grouped units for Arts (in effect this means that up to 8 credit points may be taken outside the recognised Faculty of Arts and Education major sequences)
* no more than 10 credit points at level 1
* at least 14 credit points at level 2 or above
* at least 4 credit points at level 3
* the successful completion of at least one wholly online unit
Course structure
Professional and Creative Writing
Year 1
Trimester 1
ALW101 Writing: Finding a Voice
Trimester 2
ALW102 Writing: Telling a Story
Students will then select a further 6 credit points, ensuring at least 2 credit points are undertaken at level 2 and 2 credit points at level 3 from the following:
Year 2
Trimester 1
ALW205 Editing and the Author
ALW225 Fiction Writing: Story, Structure and Starting Out
ALW240 Poetry: Making It Strange
Trimester 2
ALW222/ALW322 Design and Production for Writers/Editors
ALW223 Creative Non-Fiction Writing
ALW227 Script Writing: Focus On Fiction
Year 3
Trimester 1
ALW328 Script Writing: Focus On Documentary
ALW350 Writing On Location: Australian Spaces, Stories, Places
Trimester 2
ALW321 The Editor and the Industry
ALW326 Fiction Writing: Ideas and Innovations
ALW341 Poetry: Siding with Things
ALW392 Theorising Creativity
Trimester 1 or trimester 2
ALW351 Professional and Creative Writing Internship *
The following electives in related writing areas may be taken in addition to the prescribed major sequence:
Trimester 1 or trimester 2
ALW117/ALW217 Writing for Professional Practice **
Trimester 1 or trimester 3
ACV211 Texts and Images II: in Quest of Story and Image
Trimester 2
ACV110 Texts and Images 1: Ways of Seeing, Reading and Telling Stories
*Internship units are normally undertaken in third year (or equivalent) and are subject to completion of specified prerequisite units and special application requirements. Interested students should contact Arts and Education Student Support and Enrolment Enquiries on their campus for further information.
** This unit is only offered in Warrnambool in trimester 2.
Transition to University study
The faculty offers two units ASC160 Introduction to University Study and ALW117 Writing for Professional Practice which are specifically designed to ease the transition into university study. New students are encouraged to enrol in one or both of these units in their first year.
Wholly online units
To ensure that all Deakin students have the skills to meet the demands of the modern workforce, undergraduate students are required to complete at least one unit of their study wholly online.
The wholly online units offered by the Faculty of Arts and Education in 2009 are:
Trimester 1 or trimester 2
ACN108 History of Interactive Entertainment
Trimester 1
AIH265/AIH365 Great Debates: Unfinished Business of the Past
AIR236/AIR336 Global Capitalism and its Discontent
AIX391 Work Transition in the 21st Century
ALL379 Representing Australia
ALR383 Government Relations and Issues Management
Trimester 2
AIP238/AIP338 The Politics of Fear
ALC314 Advertising: Designing Desires
ALC320 Approaches to Media: Audiences and Effects
ASC320 Sex, Crime and Justice in An Electronic Age
Admission requirements - general
Deakin University offers admission to undergraduate courses through a number of Admission categories.
In all categories of admission, selection is based primarily on academic merit as indicated by an applicant's previous academic record.
For more information on the Deakin Admissions Policy visit The Guide.
Admission requirements - specific
Applicants should have successfully completed VCE, or equivalent, including a study score of at least 30 in Units 3 and 4 English (ESL) or 25 in Units 3 and 4 of any other English.
Those aged 21 or over on 1 January and who do not hold VCE or equivalent should apply under Alternative Admission. This category is open to those who do not satisfy normal entrance requirements, but can demonstrate relevant work or life experience.
Advanced standing - general
The University aims to provide students with as much credit as possible for approved prior study or informal learning which exceeds the normal entrance requirements for the course and is within the constraints of the course regulations. Students are required to complete a minimum of one-third of the course at Deakin University, or four credit points, whichever is the greater. In the case of certificates, including graduate certificates, a minimum of two credit points within the course must be completed at Deakin.
You can also refer to the Advanced Standing System which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree.
