Course Title: Writing Angles: Popular and Professional

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Writing Angles: Popular and Professional

Credit Points: 6


Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

COMM2097

City Campus

Undergraduate

345H Media and Communication

Face-to-Face or Internet


Course Coordinator: Dr. Marsha Berry

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 2592

Course Coordinator Email:marsha.berry@rmit.edu.au


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

None


Course Description

This writing course is grounded in communication and has a theoretical base drawn from a mix of critical theory and cultural studies. Students will develop their understanding of writing as communication through the analysis of language theories and the application of theoretical models to specific examples. 

Students will develop advanced skills in writing across a range of genres drawing from both the professional and the popular. They will be encouraged to improve their understanding of how language works through the study and application of grammar to their own writing. Each student will produce a folio of writing that will include both popular and professional kinds of writing. They will work on and extended piece to further hone their skills in the craft of writing. Additionally they will also undertake a group project in order to develop team and collaborative skills.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

a) To develop the capability to write material for professional contexts 
b) To understand the relationship between text and context 
c) To develop a writing voice that is present in all work undertaken 
d) To develop the ability to switch between formal and less formal genres 
e) To be able to write accurately and appropriately for genre, site, context and in terms of usage (that is, grammar)


Students will be challenged with new ideas arising from the theories presented in readings and lectures and will be encouraged to assimilate these through application to specific examples of writing. Students will also have an opportunity each week to practice writing as a professional and communicative practice and to receive feedback from their peers. 

Students will engage in writing and feedback activities that encourage self-reflection on creative processes.


Overview of Learning Activities

You will have access to materials via the DLS.


Overview of Learning Resources

This will be published on the DLS


Overview of Assessment

Discussion board contribution - 30% 
This will include all your postings to the discussion board and includes group work. Formal standard rules of English usage do not apply here. You are encouraged to log on as frequently as possible and to share your thoughts. 
Critical analysis - 20% (500 words for 6 credit points) 
You will write a short review of a cultural product/artifact of your own choosing, eg, film, play, concert, exhibition, architecture, art work, etc. 
The review will be assessed against the following criteria: 

Explanation of purpose of the cultural product/artifact in terms of goals 
Critique of how well it succeeded in its own terms 
Critique of its worth in a broader socio-cultural context 
Use of standard English in writing the review 
Awareness of review genres as evidenced through writing 
Extended writing piece - 50% 
You will produce an extended writing piece which may be prompted from the topics in the course schedule. You will choose the form it takes in consultation with your tutor. The piece will be assessed against the following criteria: 
Conformance to the chosen genre - you will be assessed according to the criteria appropriate to the genre you have chosen and these will be discussed with you by your tutor. You will also be referred to examples of each genre. Students are encouraged to discuss the requirements for this assessment task individually with their tutors. 

Course Grades Available 
Result/Grading Numerical Mark 
HD (High Distinction) 80-100 
DI (Distinction) 70-79 
CR (Credit) 60-69 
PA (Pass) 50-59 
NN (Fail) 0-49