Core Module Information
Module title: Fiction Genres

SCQF level: 11:
SCQF credit value: 20.00
ECTS credit value: 10

Module code: CLP11711
Module leader: Noelle Harrison
School School of Arts and Creative Industries
Subject area group: Media and Humanities
Prerequisites

There are no pre-requisites for this module to be added

Description of module content:

This module introduces you to and enhances your understanding of writing for the genres and sub-genres of science fiction, fantasy, historical, romance, crime and horror. It begins by investigating the core techniques and current trends in these areas. You will augment writing practice skills developed in the first trimester by undertaking frequent writing challenges and honing your critical self-reflexivity, aided by formative masterclass feedback. Addressing, challenging and subverting audience expectations is the focus for the final weeks, alongside writing for particular markets. This module has an all fiction reading list from the forefront of current genre writing.

Learning Outcomes for module:

Upon completion of this module you will be able to

LO1: Generate ideas for a variety of approaches to genre fiction narrative.

LO2: Exercise appropriate judgement in identifying the most effective techniques for a particular genre fiction narrative.

LO3: Analyse the functions, limitations and possibilities of various genres.

LO4: Engage in critical self-reflection to appraise the professional potential of your narratives.

LO5: Develop the skills to produce artistically ambitious and marketable short pieces of genre fiction.

Full Details of Teaching and Assessment
2026/7, Trimester 2, Online (fully o,
VIEW FULL DETAILS
Occurrence: 001
Primary mode of delivery: Online (fully o
Location of delivery: ONLINE
Partner:
Member of staff responsible for delivering module: Noelle Harrison
Module Organiser:


Student Activity (Notional Equivalent Study Hours (NESH))
Mode of activityLearning & Teaching ActivityNESH (Study Hours)NESH Description
Independent Learning Lecture 5 Pre-recorded online mini-lectures delivering core teaching materials, will be available to you a week in advance of the relevant live seminar. This enables those of you in different time zones to asynchronously engage with the lectures on days that best suit your needs.
Independent Learning Tutorial 15 You will take part in synchronous live online seminars that build and expand on the pre-recorded mini-lectures via group work and social learning activities.
Online Guided independent study 180 You will undertake guided independent study to dig deeper into the materials provided by other learning and teaching activities, activating these new skills, techniques and concepts within the context of your own writing and critical thinking on that practice.
Total Study Hours200
Expected Total Study Hours for Module200


Assessment
Type of Assessment Weighting % LOs covered Week due Length in Hours/Words Description
Portfolio 75 1~2~3~4~5 Week 11 , WORDS= 3750 words You are required to submit two pieces of creative work. 1. A complete, original flash fiction story (up to 750 words in length) in conversation with a genre of your choice. 2. A complete, original short story (up to 3000 words in length) in conversation with a genre of your choice.Total word count for the Long Portfolio is 3750 words, but your submission can be +/- 10% of that. This assessment is worth 75% of your module grade. The short stories may be in any style or genre: the only stipulations are that it must be complete, original, fictional and written in conversation with the genre(s) of your choice.
Essay 25 1~2~3~4~5 Week 12 , WORDS= 1250 You are required to write a critical self-reflection essay (1250 words +/- 10%) focusing on the chosen genre of the longer story in your portfolio exemplifying responses to technical and aesthetic challenges and the implementation of editorial feedback. Avoid lengthy descriptions of creative process. Instead, focus your analysis on the outcomes of your work. You should also include at the end of your CSR a bibliography of relevant reading you undertook for this assessment. The bibliography does not contribute to the total wordcount for your portfolio.
Component 1 subtotal: 75
Component 2 subtotal: 25
Module subtotal: 100

Indicative References and Reading List - URL:
Contact your module leader