Course List for the English Department

Course Components

• Read for enjoyment and understanding
• Develop your writing skills
• Communicate ideas verbally and visually
• Become information literate

Course Components

• Close reading and analysis of a variety of texts
• Persuasive and creative writing
• Communicate ideas orally and visually
• Develop information literacy skills

Course Components

• Critical analysis of a variety of written, visual and oral texts
• Develop fluency in writing a variety of text types
• Communicate ideas visually and orally

Course Structure

Two groups of ten students form close supportive units, each working with a tutor. Writers work with prose and poetry. They critique each other’s work. They are exposed to other writers and the writing world, listen to guest speakers and are introduced to a range of good writing by their tutor. They complete writing exercises in class. They are encouraged to write regularly and produce their work for comment. Each group contains writers working in a mixture of genres. Each writer has a supervisor as well as the class tutor. The writer and supervisor meet regularly by negotiation for critiquing, support and suggestions.

Outcomes

At the conclusion of the course, folios will be appraised by tutors and the Director for the Hagley Writers’ Institute Certificate and endorsed at either ‘attainment’ or ‘cum laude’ (distinction) level. Students may also elect to have their work assessed for the Level 4 English writing standard on the National Qualifications Framework. A single award will also be made to acknowledge writing excellence.

Programme

Classes are designed to fit in with writers’ busy schedules: Saturday mornings from 9.30am – 12.30pm. 20 weeks over Terms 1 – 3. Students accepted into the Institute are expected to make a significant commitment to their writing of at least 20 hours per week over the year in addition to the Saturday morning classes.