Exploring Childhood
| Duration | 10 weekly meetings | |
|---|---|---|
| Tutor | Briony Goffin | |
| Course code | CRW24A5584A | |
| Fee | £196 | |
| Concessionary fee | £157 (find out about eligibility and funding options) | |
| Location | Online course |
| Duration | 10 weekly meetings | |
|---|---|---|
| Tutor | Briony Goffin | |
| Course code | CRW24A5584B | |
| Fee | £196 | |
| Concessionary fee | £157 (find out about eligibility and funding options) | |
| Location | 50-51 Park Place |
This course will enable you to draw on the subject of childhood and adolescence to inspire stories, whether using aspects of fiction or elements of autobiography, including being a child, growing up, and reaching milestones.
You will have the opportunity to explore perspective and voice, as well as how to capture the world of a child in a way that is vivid and relatable, personal and universal.
If you’re interested in our Writing for Children course in the future, but wish to build confidence first, this is a great place to start your writing journey.
Learning and teaching
The module will be delivered through ten 2-hour sessions, made up of workshops, class discussions, and small group work.
Topics and themes may include:
- Childhood as a topic for creativity
- The role of autobiography
- Fictionalising childhood
- Writing from a child’s perspective
- Understanding different voices in childhood
- The universality of childhood
Please note that this course draws on elements of childhood to encourage creativity. However, it is not a course underpinned by counselling or wellbeing techniques. Students will need to carefully consider what they wish to share with the group, especially if experiences relate to childhood trauma.
Coursework and assessment
To award credits we need to have evidence of the knowledge and skills you have gained or improved. Some of this has to be in a form that can be shown to external examiners so that we can be absolutely sure that standards are met across all courses and subjects.
The most important element of assessment is that it should enhance your learning. Our methods are designed to increase your confidence and we try very hard to devise ways of assessing you that are enjoyable and suitable for adults with busy lives.
You will complete a creative writing portfolio and will write reflectively about your own process. The portfolio will be around 1500 words in length.
Reading suggestions
You will be provided with comprehensive reading suggestions at the beginning of the course. No pre-reading is required.
Library and computing facilities
As a student on this course you are entitled to join and use the University’s library and computing facilities. Find out more about using these facilities.
Accessibility
Our aim is access for all. We aim to provide a confidential advice and support service for any student with a long term medical condition, disability or specific learning difficulty. We are able to offer one-to-one advice about disability, pre-enrolment visits, liaison with tutors and co-ordinating lecturers, material in alternative formats, arrangements for accessible courses, assessment arrangements, loan equipment and dyslexia screening.
