This course looks at how to develop your writing in order to produce a successful piece of short fiction, honing your work from the initial stage of inspired idea through to sending it out for publication. Concentrating on key elements of character creation, setting, and narration, the emphasis is on developing your writing and editing skills in order to polish and shape your work.
Looking to examples of published short fiction, both classic and contemporary, you will have the opportunity to closely consider what makes a compelling story, looking at the finer elements of language and the creation of dramatic tension. Creative exercises will help you apply what you learn to your own writing practice, and there will be a chance for feedback from your peers on work-in-progress in a relaxed workshop setting. We will also consider opportunities for publication and performance in order to help you get your work out into the world. This course builds upon Short Fiction I, so it would be helpful, though not essential, to study both courses.
Period
01-08-2011 - 26-08-2011 (4 weeks)
Target group
The University of Sussex International Summer School welcomes applicants from a wide range of educational backgrounds. Although most of you will be currently enrolled at a university or college, we also welcome applicants who have been away from education for some years, as well as highly committed senior high school students - for some courses a good general education, an open mind and lots of enthusiasm are the main qualifications. For some other courses you will see that prerequisites are listed - applicants for these courses are expected to submit transcripts to demonstrate that they have taken, or are currently taking, the necessary precursors.
Course aim
This is a great opportunity for secondary school students to prepare for college and acquire college credit, which you will usually be able to transfer to a future undergraduate degree. The International Summer School provides an opportunity to meet and study with people from different countries and cultures, on a cosmopolitan campus. The large range of courses on offer allows you to get ahead with credit in core courses, or simply to experiment with something new.
Credits
9.0 ECTS creditsSummer School courses carry 18 credits and last for four weeks. Since the standard annual load for a Sussex student is 120 credits, this means that each course is equivalent to four and a half semester hours or nine ECTS credits. Students can take only one course per session, as the courses are intensive. You can expect to spend 25 to 35 hours each week on your course between attending classes, labs and workshops, as well as time spent outside class preparing the readings and assignments. You can find information about the courses offered by the International Summer School through our course directory or courses by subject pages of our website.
Course fee
GBP 1250: Tuition only (one four week session).
GBP 2350: Tuition only (BOTH four week ISS sessions).
Course leader
Kim Lasky
Scholarships
The University of Sussex offers a limited number of scholarships for participation in the ISS in the form of partial fee waivers to students from developing countries who have high potential for future leadership in their field of study or career.
University of Sussex
Address: University of Sussex Brighton
Postal code: BN1 9RF
City: Brighton
Country: United Kingdom
Website: http://www.sussex.ac.uk/iss/
E-mail: issoffice@sussex.ac.uk
Phone: 00441273678406
Developing Skills: Short Fiction
