Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching Creative Writing

The course is taught over three modules. Each module is taught via a 3 day teaching block made up of a mixture of lectures, seminars, workshops and class discussions and supported between teaching blocks via a course Virtual Learning Environment.

Module 1: The Philosophy and Context of Teaching Creative Writing

This module will introduce students to the Postgraduate Certificate and will address:

• the background and history of teaching creative writing;

• the concept of ‘creativity’ and the arguments surrounding whether or not creative writing can be taught;

• the methodologies surrounding teaching creative writing;

• how teaching creative writing may vary within different settings such as schools, higher education and prisons.

Module 2: Designing a Creative Writing Course

This module will address:

• different models of creative writing courses and the advantages and challenges of each;

• the pedagogical theories behind different types of courses;

• the use of close reading in different settings and what makes a good extract;

• the quality assurance aspects of designing a creative writing course;

• the emotional and psychological impact of teaching creative writing for tutors and students.

Module 3: Assessment and Feedback in a Creative Writing Course

This module will address:

• different ways of providing feedback in different contexts;

• the pedagogical theories behind different types of feedback;

• the challenges of providing written feedback to a range of students;

• the historical roots of the workshop and its appropriateness in different settings.