Creativity and Process (ENG345)

Content

In this hands-on course, we will study and practice the amazing array of literary writing processes invented over the centuries. Key to this course is the inclusion of creative writing as a scholarly method for exploring and fully understanding precisely how words are made art at the highest levels of literary and linguistic creativity. From hiking a mountain, to mathematics, to counting the syllables in a sonnet, to making a literary game, to using the Internet and AI: the processes of literary creatives are not only fascinating, studying them will develop your ability to understand the heart of literary production at both a practical and theoretical level.

This course uses theories of creativity and writing to explore a variety of different literary forms, genres, and processes as selected by the instructor. Students will be asked to understand both the theory and practice of different literary forms and processes and be able to compare them. Key questions will revolve around how different forms and processes differ in terms of their relationship to the author, the reader, and the text itself. Students will be asked to read and understand critical arguments theorizing the different processes, but they will also be asked to do hands-on writing practice to explore the processes themselves. For example, to fully understand a sonnet, you must write one. And to fully understand writing as a game, you must design a literary game (or at least play one). Pairing scholarly articles with process-based practice allows students to approach the material from multiple angles and allows creativity to work not only as a theoretical part of the course but also as a fundamental part of the learning process.

Learning outcome

Knowledge

By the end of the course, students are expected to have:

• advanced knowledge within the academic field and specialized insight into the area covered by the course
• thorough knowledge of the scholarly and artistic theories and methods covered in the course
• can apply the theories (knowledge) from the course to new areas (other texts) within the field of literature
• can the analyze academic problems presented in the course on the basis of the history, traditions, and the distinctive character and place in society framing these academic problems
• both a theoretical and practical knowledge of the writing theories and processes studied
• a thorough understanding of the relationship between creativity and process in literary studies
• in-depth comprehension of the critical arguments in the scholarly articles covered in the course
• in-depth knowledge of the specific topic they choose to research
• in-depth understanding of research paper structure
• knowledge of methods for developing creative and critical thinking
• knowledge of methods in the practice of advanced critical discussion

Skills

By the end of the course, students should be able to:

• analyze and deal critically with various sources of information (primary texts, discussion, articles, contextual materials) and use them to structure and formulate scholarly arguments
• analyze existing theories, methods and interpretations in the field and work independently on practical and theoretical problems
• use relevant methods for research and scholarly and /or artistic development work in an independent manner
• carry out an independent, limited research or development project under supervision and in accordance with applicable norms for research ethics
• can clearly present complex arguments both orally and in writing to an audience
• listen, understand, and assess and incorporate a variety of competing arguments in real-time in a dynamic and developing classroom discussion
• produce advanced close readings (critical interpretations) and present them clearly to an expert audience both orally and in writing
• execute guided advanced research in literary studies
• write clearly about the connection between advanced themes and literary texts
• discuss advanced themes and topics with specific reference to the text
• make advanced arguments regarding literary themes and topics
• use advanced literary terminology in discussions and arguments
• use literature as a tool for advanced critical thinking
• develop advanced creative thinking through the study of literature

General Competence

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

• analyze and discuss relevant academic, professional and research ethical problems
• apply his/her knowledge and skills in new areas in order to carry out advanced assignments and projects: in other words, can use the concepts in the course to develop advanced discussions in multiple areas both in literature and beyond
• communicate thorough independent work and master language and terminology of the academic field
• communicate about academic issues, analyses and conclusions in the field, both with specialists and the general public
• contribute to new thinking and innovation processes
• read and comprehend advanced argument
• write advanced arguments concerning literature
• further develop their ability to participate in academic and professional conversations
• gain essential competences for professional life, including critical thinking, problem solving, creative innovation, and global cultural awareness
• express themselves in correct, varied and precise English appropriate to MA-level discussions

Required prerequisite knowledge

Recommended prerequisites

Exam

Coursework requirements

• Two short obligatory written assignments 500-1000 words each
• 75% attendance

Course teacher(s)

Course coordinator:

Course teacher:

Course teacher:

Study Adviser:

Method of work

Open for

Master in English and Literacy Studies

Inbound exchange students

Course assessment

Literature