Course Title: Refine writing and editing techniques - Myths and Symbols

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2008

Course Code: COMM5423

Course Title: Refine writing and editing techniques - Myths and Symbols

School: 345T Creative Media

Campus: City Campus

Program: C5181 - Diploma of Professional Writing and Editing

Course Contact : Brendan Lee

Course Contact Phone: 9925 4368

Course Contact Email:Brendan.lee@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Ania Walwicz    
ania.walwicz@rmit.edu.au

Nominal Hours: 85

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

At RMIT, Refine Writing and Editing Techiques - Myths and Symbols is delivered and assessed along with the following competencies.
•CUVCOR04A - Originate concept for own work and conduct critical discourse
•CUVCOR13A - Research and critically analyse history and theory to inform artistic practice
•CUECOR01B - Manage own work and learning
•CUSADM03A - Manage a project
•CUVDES05A - Interpret and respond to a brief
•CUSRAD02A - Conduct research None

Course Description

Refine Writing and Editing Techniques - Myths and Symbols covers the knowledge and skills required to research and experiment with writing and editing techniques. The course develops an awareness of the symbolism and mythology used in story telling. In this course, you study literature, folklore, mythology and religious mythology as seen by writers, academics and psychologists. You examine the ways in which archetypes reoccur in the narratives of contemporary texts and apply your findings to your own writing.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

VBP553 Refine writing and editing techniques - Myths and Symbols

Element:

1. Inform work through experimentation with writing techniques and media   

Performance Criteria:

1.1 The potential for new approaches to writing based on the capabilities of techniques already used are evaluated
1.2 New techniques are selected, adapted and introduced for the achievement of different effects
1.3 The capabilities of writing techniques are extended through experimentation to inform practice
1.4 Relevant ideas and approaches from other practitioners are researched, adapted and used with consideration of intellectual property, moral rights and copyright requirements

Element:

2. Develop and refine conceptual vision for writings

Performance Criteria:

2.1 A conceptual vision for writings are developed based on a knowledge and understanding of different writing techniques
2.2 The criteria for selecting techniques are considered based on results of experimentation
2.4 The approach to work which meets established criteria is selected
2.5 The conceptual vision is refined based on on-going experimentation and analysis of writing techniques

Element:

3. Determine and organise resource requirements for work

Performance Criteria:

3.1 The specific resource requirements which arise from the use of techniques and experimental approaches are assessed
3.2 Potential sources of supply of writing resources are researched and accessed
3.3 Constraints that may impact on the development of work are evaluated

Element:

4.  Plan the writing

Performance Criteria:

4.1 The writing task is planned to reflect the media, scope, structure and content of the work and to meet agreed timelines
4.2 Ideas are organised and developed into an ordered sequence of scenes
4.3 All resources required to deliver the writing task are organised
4.4 A timeline for the completion of the writing task that reflects the critical milestones is determined

Element:

5. Realise writings                              

Performance Criteria:

5.1 Writings are realised using techniques and media selected from research and experimentation to meet the conceptual vision
5.2 The potential for changes in the use of techniques are evaluated and responded to
5.3 The conceptual vision is refined  based on on-going experiences with the production of writings
5.4 Issues of design and presentation of writings are considered and appropriate actions taken

Learning Outcomes


On successful completion of this unit you will have gained insight into the ways in which myths and symbols inform our story telling today and apply your findings to your own writing.


Details of Learning Activities

Students learn through classroom lectures, videos, films, handouts, excursions, student talks, class discussion and creative writing exercises.


Teaching Schedule

Semester 1

Week Topic
1 Introduction
2 Joseph Campbell
3 Joseph Campbell
4 Classical mythology
5 Classical mythology
6 The fairytale
7 Psychology and mythology – Sigmund Freud
8 Carl Jung
9 The dream
10 Nordic mythology
11 Contemporary mythology
12 Cinema and mythology
13 Excursion
14 Mythology and art
15 Mythology and literature
16 Mythology and music
17 Comic books and animation
18 Conclusion to Semester 1

Semester 2

Week Topic
1 Egyptian mythology
2 Asian mythology
3 Celtic mythology
4 Magic
5 Foretelling the future
6 Comparative religions
7 Excursion
8 The vampire myth
9 The mythology of love
10 The mythology of the body
11 Witchcraft
12 History and mythology
13 Politics and mythology
14 Lord of the Rings
15 The Harry Potter phenomenon
16 Australian mythology
17 Creative visualisation
18 Conclusion to Semester 2 and reflection


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources

Students will be given handouts and references for the library and individual research, and shown audio-visual material in class.


Overview of Assessment

Assessment for this course is ongoing throughout the semester. Your knowledge and understanding of course content is assessed through participation in class exercises, oral presentations and through the application of learned skills and insights to your writing tasks.


Assessment Tasks

Semester 1

Class talk

Give a class talk on an area of individual research into mythology.

Due date: to be negotiated with the teacher
Weight: 25%

Essay/writing piece

Develop the material you’ve researched for your talk into an essay or a creative writing piece of 2,000 words.

Due date: 13 June
Weight: 25%

Semester 2

Essay/writing piece

Write an essay or a creative writing piece of 2,000 words related to mythology.

Due date: 31 October
Weight: 50%


Assessment Matrix

Not applicable

Course Overview: Access Course Overview