Course units
Writing for Change: Stories of Evidence
This online course provides a framework for students to design their own writing practice in a time of challenging and intense change. The course has been developed with the belief that communication is a fundamental human right, and we all deserve to be heard and communicated to in a manner that is appropriate to us. We see writing as a creative practice in its own right and one which offers us the opportunities to respond to global challenges and issues that might manifest in our local communities and contexts, no matter where we are located in the world.
The course is taught by writers, artists, designers, publishers and editors whose practice is anchored in social change. It is delivered through peer-led writing workshops (writing circles) and offers opportunities that are support you in developing your own writing practice through experimentation, self-reflection and engagement with local context.
You will be introduced to a range of writing practices from storytelling to autoethnographic writing, free writing/journaling and asked to explore how to inspire, position and engage through writing. You will be introduced to the various modes by which writing can be disseminated, and different ways of gathering and addressing audiences. You will engage in exercises that help you test and measure how writing practices can influence and impact change as you consider values of commons, publics and audiences.
We see research and practice as actively linked to each other and will support you in developing skills and knowledge in these areas. The end of the unit results in a publication, and you will be asked to work with fellow writers and designers, to design, and publish your work collectively in a format that is appropriate to your audience.
Mode of study
The course is delivered over 15 weeks through distance learning with online intensive workshops. The teaching and learning engagement takes place through online platforms.
The course supports a dispersed community of students that may be based at distance and across geographies. The online mode works successfully by managing student groups (as local studios or writing circles) in relation to time zones and by developing records and documentation from teaching and co-operative learning. Carefully timed synchronous sessions are supported with asynchronous activities and resources. Focused periods of online workshops are staged at regular points for community building and consolidating learning.
Whilst the course is taught and assessed in English, we understand that language is a tool of colonisation. We are interested in diversity of communication and expression and will cultivate an ethos of listening and promote tolerance around difference.
The digital platforms and applications used for teaching on the course are best supported by a cable connection. Our platforms have been selected to suit medium bandwidth.
Credit and award requirements
On successfully completing the course, students will gain a Postgraduate Certificate.