Creative Writing (Paris)

Course Structure

1. provide you with the opportunity to obtain a postgraduate qualification (MA) in one year, and to allow you, if required, a smooth transition to doctoral studies
2. give you the breadth of experience of studying creative writing modules in Canterbury in the Autumn term, and then spending the Spring term in Paris writing ‘in residence’ while pursuing one other Kent at Paris module
3. extend and deepen your understanding of your own writing practice through coursework and research
4. enable you to develop an historical awareness of literary and creative writing traditions, particularly those that have been located in, or in some other way focussed on, Paris develop your independent critical thinking and judgement
5. develop your independent creative thinking and practice
6. develop your knowledge and understanding of relevant aspects of contemporary Paris and the literary history of the city with a view to you incorporating some of these aspects into your own creative and critical writing
7. develop your understanding and critical appreciation of the expressive resources of language
8. enable you to make connections across your various modules and transfer knowledge between modules
9. provide you with teaching, workshops and other learning opportunities that are informed by current research and practice and that require you to engage with aspects of work and practice at the frontiers of knowledge.
10. key texts from contemporary British, American, postcolonial and world literatures
11. the main aspects of literary techniques and theory in either fiction or poetry, including point of view, form, style, voice, characterisation, structure and theme
12. key literary traditions and movements, both contemporary and historical
13. the cultural history of modern Paris, as reflected in art and literature
14. terminology used in literary criticism
15. terminology used in creative practice
16. the cultural and historical contexts in which literature is written, published and read
17. critical theory and its applications to both reading and writing
18. the study and creation of the ‘text’ and how this is influenced by cultural factors
19. inter- and multidisciplinary approaches to the advanced practice of creative and critical writing
20. research methods.
21. the application of the skills needed for advanced academic study and enquiry
22. the evaluation of your research findings
23. the ability to synthesise information from a number of sources in order to gain a coherent understanding of theory and/or practice
24. the ability to make discriminations and selections of relevant information from a wide source and large body of knowledge
25. exercise of problem-solving skills
26. communication of complex ideas in prose, poetry or both
27. adaptation skills: learn to work in different environments by adapting to the educational, cultural and professional environments of England and France, while adopting an interdisciplinary approach to literary and creative studies.
28. advanced creative writing skills in prose, poetry or both.
29. the ability to produce work with ambition, depth, intellectual structure, sophistication, scope, independence and importance
30. the ability to sustain a piece of creative work and make choices about form, content and style
31. an understanding of a ‘whole’ in creative practice (whether this is a novel, a collection of poems or short stories or some other advanced project)
32. the ability to present creative writing professionally, both orally and in writing, demonstrating an awareness and understanding of current practice
33. advanced understanding of literary themes
34. enhanced skills in the close critical analysis of literary and other texts
35. informed critical understanding of the variety of critical and theoretical approaches to the study of texts and source materials
36. an ability to articulate knowledge and understanding of texts, concepts and theories relating to advanced English or cultural studies
37. well-developed linguistic skills, including a grasp of standard critical terminology
38. appropriate scholarly practice in the presentation of formal written work
39. an understanding of how cultural norms and assumptions influence questions of judgement
40. knowledge of French and European culture and literature
41. knowledge of the cultural development of modern Paris, as expressed in literature, art and creative writing practice.
42. advanced skills in communication, in speech and writing
43. the ability to offer and receive constructive criticism
44. the capacity to argue a point of view, orally and in written form, with clarity, organisation and cogency
45. enhanced confidence in the efficient presentation of ideas
46. the ability to assimilate, organise and work with substantial quantities of complex information
47. competence in the planning and execution of coursework
48. the capacity for independent thought, reasoned judgement, and self-criticism
49. enhanced skills in collaborative intellectual and creative work
50. the ability to understand, interrogate and apply a variety of theoretical and/or creative positions and weigh the importance of alternative approaches
51. research skills, including scholarly information retrieval skills
52. IT: word-processing, the ability to access electronic data and the ability to work efficiently and effectively in an online learning environment
53. living and working in diverse cultural environments: You will participate and work in academic communities in both Canterbury and Paris. You will thus develop cultural knowledge and understanding, flexibility, imagination, resourcefulness and tolerance.