Outline of Courses

Rapid growth in new career options in the various fields of electronic or cyber writing and communication has created a demand for people with new writing skills. There is a demand for people who have knowledge of new writing approaches that utilise the opportunities of new communications technologies and enable a shift in mindset from traditional writing techniques to the new multimedia modes.

The suite of postgraduate writing courses offered by Swinburne University of Technology, Lilydale, draw together print and performance-based textuality and discourse with the local and global opportunities of electronic textuality and discourse. They meet the need for both traditional and electronic professional and creative writing skills in providing content for the new media fields.

These units will fulfil both these new occupational needs as well as the more traditional creative and literary needs of writers wishing to publish their work either in print or online.

Units will be delivered in virtual reality mode online via a website for each unit and via CD ROMs as well as print materials developed by experts in the field. The unit websites will be supported by online eTutors.

The advantages of these flexibly delivered courses include:

• You will be able to work entirely online.
• Electronic laboratories will be available for students who wish to work from the Swinburne Lilydale Campus and at the University's library facilities on all campuses
• All of the lectures will be available as virtual lectures with multimedia components and the capacity to print off the entire lecture.
• You will have access to the best materials in print and online as well as to experts in their field. They will maintain up-to-date expertise through the World Wide Web.
• Students will be supported by online mentors and tutors.
• You will use online discussion and chat lines as well as multimedia materials (CD ROMs) and interviews with, and articles by, experts in the field.
• The Discussion Threads act like virtual tutorials so that you can 'speak' with your fellow students wherever they or you may be situated geographically and at a time suitable to you.

Duration

The Graduate Certificate of Arts (Writing) consists of one teaching period full-time or two teaching periods of part-time study. It will be awarded to students who complete four units or equivalent.

The Graduate Diploma of Arts (Writing) is the equivalent of two teaching periods full-time study or four teaching periods of part-time study. It will be awarded to students who complete eight units worth a total of 100 credit points.

The Master of Arts (Writing) is the equivalent of three teaching periods of full-time study or six teaching periods of part-time study. It will be awarded to students who complete 12 units worth a total of 150 credit points approved for the course at Swinburne, Lilydale

Recognition of Prior Learning:

Students may be eligible for exemptions based on prior qualifications and/or work experience.

• Graduate Certificate - students may apply for and be granted an exemption of up to 25 points.
• Graduate Diploma - students may apply for and be granted an exemption of up to 50 points.
• Master - Students may apply for and be granted an exemption of up to 50 points.

Assessment

The grading criteria used within all levels include: professional publishable outcomes; evidence of learning and personal growth; evidence of usefulness of projects and performances; evidence of originality and creative thinking; and evidence of research and a sound knowledge base. These criteria are applied across the different levels and through the flexible modes of delivery and learning.