Welcome

[Basho, Narrow Road to the Deep North (1694)]

Welcome to 139.326: Travel Writing at Massey Albany.

This year, 2009, the course will be taught by me, Dr Jack Ross (course convenor) with the assistance of my colleagues Dr Mary Paul and Dr Jenny Lawn, together with guest speakers to be announced.

Your student class representative this semester is Rebecca Buchanan, who can be emailed here if you need to get in touch with her.

So what exactly do we mean by the term "Travel Writing"? How liberal can our definition be? Here's what's up on the Massey University website:

Paper Number:

139.326

Paper Title:

Travel Writing

Credit Value:

15 credits

Calendar Prescription:

A study of travel writing, including critical and theoretical analysis and creative writing based on students’ own fieldwork.

Pre and co requisites:

Prerequisites: Any 200 level paper.
Corequisites: None

Semester:

Semester 2

Campus:

Auckland (Albany)

Mode:

Internal

E-Learning Category:

Web-assisted

Paper coordinator:

Dr. Jack Ross
School of Social and Cultural Studies
Atrium Building Level L2.32
Albany Campus
Phone: 414 0800 x 9506
Email: j.r.ross@massey.ac.nz

Teaching Timetable (internal only):

The timetable for lectures, laboratories, and tutorials can be found at http://publictimetable.massey.ac.nz/

Learning Outcomes:

The paper aims to:

• introduce you to a variety of travel books published in recent years;
• introduce you to some of the literary issues and critical vocabulary germane to the interpretation of these texts;
• introduce you to some of the ideological issues involved in the representation of other cultures and peoples;
• encourage you to integrate your critical awareness of the genre of travel writing into your own creative practice;
• enhance your creativity and skill as a writer working in this genre.

Major Topics:

In this paper you will first study texts by prominent contemporary travel writers, paying special attention to literary and aspects of their work. You will then apply your critical understanding of the genre to the production of your own travel writing, based on experiences that you have had overseas or within New Zealand.

Assessment Proportions:

Internal Assessment : 100%.

Description of Assessment Activities:

Title: Close Reading of a set text (in-class test)
Worth: 15%

Title: Critical commentary on one set text (take-home exercise)
Worth: 15%

Title: Creative Writing Exercise: Local Travel Piece
Worth: 25%

Title: Final Project
Worth: 40%

Title: Participation
Worth: 5%

Due Dates / Deadlines:

The due dates for assignments (and any other internal assessment components) will be advised at the start of the semester.

Penalties for late assignment submission:

None.

Assignment turnaround:

Three weeks.

Any specific requirements for passing the paper:

None.

Principal Textbook:

Departmental Book of Readings, available from Student Notes in the basement of Quad B.

[Morikawa Kyoriku: Portrait of Bashō (1693)]