'Paris: Portfolio' contributes to the MA in Creative Writing in Paris. The objective of ‘Paris: Portfolio’ is to produce work inspired by the cultural, historical and aesthetic location of the city, taking regular writing exercises, field trips and prompts as a starting point. This module aims to enable students to develop their practice of writing through both the study of a range of contemporary examples and practices, and constructive feedback on their own work. Each week, students read a selection of work, in a variety of forms (fiction, non-fiction, poetry, prose poetry, hybrid texts; as well as artworks, TV, film and other media). Students will work on a specific exercise and submit it for workshopping each week, which they will draw upon to produce a portfolio of creative work for the main assessment. They will be encouraged to read as independent writers, to apply appropriate writing techniques to their own practice and to experiment with voice, form and content. The approach to the exemplary texts will be technical as well as historical. At every point in the module, priority will be given to students’ own development as writers. It is an assumption of the module that students will already have a basic competence in the writing of poetry or prose, including a grasp of essential craft and techniques. The purpose of this module will be to stimulate students towards development and honing of their emerging voices and styles through engaging with various literary texts and techniques, and to consider how their work can develop with large chunks of time for independent study, reflection and exploration of a city like Paris.
Total Contact Hours: 30
Private Study Hours: 270
Total Study Hours: 300
This module is only available to students studying in Paris
Main assessment methods:
Original prose (5,000 words) or 8 poems/150 lines of Poetry, or a proportionate combination of the two – 100%
Reassessment methods:
Like-for-like
Indicative list, current at time of publication. Reading lists will be published annually
Breton, André. (1999). Nadja. Translated by R. Howard. London: Penguin
Mirrlees, Hope. (2020). Paris. London: Faber and Faber
Roubaud, Jacques, Waldrop, Rosmarie (transl.). (2002). Some Thing Black. Champaign, IL: Dalkey Archive Press
Stein, Gertrude. Tender Buttons (any edition)
Terry, Philip (ed.). (2019). The Penguin Book of Oulipo. London: Penguin
See the library reading list for this module (Canterbury)
The intended subject specific learning outcomes.
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
1 Demonstrate their capacity for close reading and critical analysis and apply these skills to their creative writing practice;
2 Identify, critically evaluate and interrogate particular literary techniques found in modern and contemporary poetry and prose to develop their creative writing practice;
3 Reflect on the wide range of stylistic practices open to the contemporary writer and demonstrate an understanding of how these relate to their own creative writing practice;
4 Confidently apply advanced poetry or fiction techniques within their work;
5 Understand through drafting, editing and other creative writing practice the value of these skills in realising their best work;
6 Plan and undertake a portfolio of poems and/or prose which demonstrates a developed sense of their relationship between their work and its audience;
7 Demonstrate understanding of how working in a specific location (Paris) can inform and shape their writing;
8 Demonstrate confidence and the ability to discipline their own writing and work habits, and gain a mature level of independent learning.
The intended generic learning outcomes.
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
1 Demonstrate a critical language;
2 Apply that language to their own work, through collective and self-criticism;
3 Demonstrate sympathy with new and various writing practices;
4 Demonstrate confidence and ability to work in group situations and as an individual, independent writer;
5 Demonstrate sophisticated communicative and collaborative skills;
6 Gather and evaluate a range of materials from diverse contexts.
University of Kent makes every effort to ensure that module information is accurate for the relevant academic session and to provide educational services as described. However, courses, services and other matters may be subject to change. Please read our full disclaimer.
