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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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