Course coordinator
Dr Taryn Bashford
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2024 (22/07/2024 - 18/11/2024)
- Study level
- Postgraduate Coursework
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Communication & Arts School
This course considers the vibrant segment of the trade publishing market that is children's and young adult writing, both from the perspective of the publishing professional and the creative writer. While the conditions of publishing have seen considerable disruptions and reconfigurations since the turn of the 21st century, the children's and young adult market has remained reliably significant in both economic and artistic terms. The course will consider the ways in which writing for children and young adults may differ from writing for other audiences; the particular ways in which these texts are produced, marketed, and circulated; and how authors and publishers relate to younger readers.
This course examines the position of Children's and Young Adult literature in the contemporary publishing industry, from both a writer's and industry professional's perspective. The course includes both a creative writing and a practical writing component.
Course requirements
Assumed background
This course assumes that you have a good command of idiomatic English sentence structure and style, and that you are personally and professionally committed to enhancing your knowledge of publishing and your skills in writing, editing, and publishing. Only students enrolled in Writing, Editing, and Publishing programs may take this course.
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Dr Taryn Bashford
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
Whilst every effort is made to place students in their preferred activity, it is not always possible for a student to be enrolled in their tutorial of choice. If you require assistance, please ensure that you email timetabling.commarts@enquire.uq.edu.au from your UQ student email with:
- Your name
- Your student ID
- The course code
- A list of three tutorial preferences (in order of preference)
- Reason for the change – e.g. timetable clash, elite athlete status, SAP
Teaching staff do not have access to change tutorials or help with timetables; all timetabling changes must be processed through the Timetabling Team.
Aims and outcomes
This course will help students develop a better understanding of the position of Children's and Young Adult literature in the contemporary Australian publishing market through a series of lectures and practical writing-based tutorials and discussions.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
demonstrate an understanding of the position that Children's and Young Adult literature holds in Australian publishing
LO2.
understand the creative and ethical issues specific to writing, editing, and publishing for children and young adults
LO3.
write effectively for middle grade and/or young adult audiences.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quiz | Reading Exercises | 25% |
After January: 5/08/2024 4:00 pm City of Bones: 19/08/2024 4:00 pm Wonder: 2/09/2024 4:00 pm Danny the Champion of the World: 16/09/2024 4:00 pm Shauna's Great Expectations: 14/10/2024 4:00 pm |
| Essay/ Critique | Teachers' Notes | 25% 1000 words |
30/09/2024 4:00 pm |
| Project | Opening Scenes of a Middle Grade or YA Novel | 50% 500 word synopsis; 2500 words creative |
4/11/2024 4:00 pm |
Assessment details
Reading Exercises
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Quiz
- Weight
- 25%
- Due date
After January: 5/08/2024 4:00 pm
City of Bones: 19/08/2024 4:00 pm
Wonder: 2/09/2024 4:00 pm
Danny the Champion of the World: 16/09/2024 4:00 pm
Shauna's Great Expectations: 14/10/2024 4:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03
Task description
There will be 5 multi-choice exercises based on the set readings, run through Blackboard. Each exercise is worth 5 marks, for a total of 25 marks. Students are asked not to collaborate on the exercises and to submit their own work. All of the exercises will be available to complete from Week 1, but must be completed according to the following schedule:
After January: 5/08/2024
City of Bones: 19/08/2024
Wonder: 2/09/2024
Danny the Champion of the World: 16/09/2024
Shauna's Great Expectations: 14/10/2024
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Complete the online exercises in Blackboard
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Teachers' Notes
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Essay/ Critique
- Weight
- 25% 1000 words
- Due date
30/09/2024 4:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02
Task description
Write a section or sections from a set of teachers' notes for a recently published Australian Middle Grade or Young Adult novel. You must include at least one writing exercise based on the novel for students to attempt. Wordcount should be between 900 and 1000 words. There is no +/- 10% range for wordcount.
Aim to produce material that shows deep insight to the selected work, and then provokes discussion and debate among students about the themes and characterisations that the author has used throughout the work. Exemplar Teachers' Notes written by industry professionals are provided in the Assessments folder on Blackboard.
You can choose one of the Australian books from the required reading list, or something else. Make sure to check with the lecturer as to whether it is appropriate for the task. A list of appropriate Middle Grade and Young Adult titles is in the Assessment folder on Blackboard.
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Format
Notes should be 12pt Times New Roman, double-spaced, with student name and student number in the footer. There is no need to format the notes in any way graphically.
Submission guidelines
Assignments for this course will be submitted electronically via Blackboard and using TurnItIn. Before submitting any assignments for this course you must ensure you have completed UQ's compulsory online Academic Integrity Tutorial.
When you successfully submit your assessment to TurnItIn you will see text confirming your submission is complete, before being redirected to your Assignment inbox. On this page you can:
- View the name of the submitted file
- View date and time of the upload
- Resubmit your paper (if necessary)
- Download your submitted paper
- Download digital receipt.
If you cannot see your submission in your Assignment inbox you should regard your submission as unsuccessful. Students are responsible for retaining evidence of submission by the due date for all assessment items, in the required form (e.g. screenshot, email, photo, and an unaltered copy of submitted work).
If the submission was not successful:
- Note the error message (preferably take a screenshot).
- Go to your assignment page and see if it is possible to submit again.
- If you cannot submit again email your course coordinator immediately with the assignment attached.
Please visit this webpage for further advice on how to submit your TurnItIn assignment.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Opening Scenes of a Middle Grade or YA Novel
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Project
- Weight
- 50% 500 word synopsis; 2500 words creative
- Due date
4/11/2024 4:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03
Task description
The opening of a Middle Grade or Young Adult novel, in the genre of the student's choice. Include a 300-500 word synopsis, and 2,200 to 2,500 words of creative text. The wordcount must be within this range. There is no +/- 10% range for wordcount.
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Format
12pt Times New Roman, double-spaced, first line of each section set left, subsequent paragraph first lines are inset. Student name, student number and page number in the footer.
Submission guidelines
Assignments for this course will be submitted electronically via Blackboard and using TurnItIn. Before submitting any assignments for this course you must ensure you have completed UQ's compulsory online Academic Integrity Tutorial.
When you successfully submit your assessment to TurnItIn you will see text confirming your submission is complete, before being redirected to your Assignment inbox. On this page you can:
- View the name of the submitted file
- View date and time of the upload
- Resubmit your paper (if necessary)
- Download your submitted paper
- Download digital receipt.
If you cannot see your submission in your Assignment inbox you should regard your submission as unsuccessful. Students are responsible for retaining evidence of submission by the due date for all assessment items, in the required form (e.g. screenshot, email, photo, and an unaltered copy of submitted work).
If the submission was not successful:
- Note the error message (preferably take a screenshot).
- Go to your assignment page and see if it is possible to submit again.
- If you cannot submit again email your course coordinator immediately with the assignment attached.
Please visit this webpage for further advice on how to submit your TurnItIn assignment.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 1 - 24 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 2 (Fail) | 25 - 44 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 45 - 49 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
Additional course grading information
- Where fractional marks occur in the calculation of the final grade, a mark of x.5% or greater will be rounded up to (x+1)%. A percentage mark of less than x.5% will be rounded down to x%.
- Where no assessable work is received, a Grade of X will apply.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Additional assessment information
- Further information regarding the assessment, including marking criteria and/or marking rubrics are available in the ‘Assessment’ folder in Blackboard for this course.
- Marks Cannot Be Changed After Being Released: Marks are not open to negotiation with course staff. If you wish to discuss the feedback you have received, you should make an appointment to speak with the Course Coordinator.
- Assessment Re-mark: If you are considering an Assessment Re-mark, please follow the link to important information you should consider before submitting a request.
- Integrity Pledge: Assignments for this course will be submitted electronically via Blackboard and using Turnitin. Before submitting any assignments for this course, you must ensure you have completed UQ's compulsory online Academic Integrity Modules.ﾠIn uploading an assignment via Turnitin you are certifying that it is your original work, that it has not been copied in whole or part from another person or source except where this is properly acknowledged, and that it has not in whole or part been previously submitted for assessment in any other course at this or any other university.
- Withholding marks prior to finalisation of grades: Per UQ Assessment Procedures – Release of Assessment Item Marks and Grades: The final assessment item and the marks for the assessment item are to be released only after the final grade for the course has been released.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Week 1 (22 Jul - 28 Jul) |
Seminar |
Week 1: Course Introduction An overview of the Children's and Young Adult book category in Australia, its origins and the western literary canon. Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Week 2 (29 Jul - 04 Aug) |
Seminar |
Week 2: The market for Children's & YA literature The creative and economic underpinnings to children's and YA literature; what sells and why. Guest lecture from UQP children's and YA publisher Cathy Vallance. Bring a favourite childhood book to discuss. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
Week 3 (05 Aug - 11 Aug) |
Seminar |
Week 3: Middle Grade & YA in the classroom The use of fiction as a teaching resource; teacher's notes, their role in marketing and how to approach them. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
Week 4 (12 Aug - 18 Aug) |
Seminar |
Week 4: Writing Week NO SEMINAR THIS WEEK - Public Holiday 14/08 |
Week 5 (19 Aug - 25 Aug) |
Seminar |
Week 5: Children's and Young Adult Guest Speaker Leading Children's and Young Adult author Nick Earls will give insights to issues specific to the category. Be sure to have read After January. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
Week 6 (26 Aug - 01 Sep) |
Seminar |
Week 6: Young Adult Fantasy Fiction Guest lecture by Professor Kim Wilkins on the highest selling category of YA fiction, its audiences, and its controversies. Be sure to have read City of Bones. Learning outcomes: L01, L03 |
Week 7 (02 Sep - 08 Sep) |
Seminar |
Week 7: The art of illustration The role of pictures in storytelling: a tour behind the scenes of the illustrated book, from picture book to graphic novel the history, power and profession of illustration. Come and meet our award winning guest illustrator, Kathleen Jennings. Learning outcomes: L01, L03 |
Week 8 (09 Sep - 15 Sep) |
Seminar |
Week 8: Children's and MG Guest Speaker: Author Richard Newsome. An analysis of the Middle Grade category and its position in the market. There's more to MG than fart jokes. Be sure to have read Wonder by RJ Palacio and Danny the Champion of the World by Roald Dahl. Dr Richard Newsome, MG author and lecturer at UQ, will be our guest speaker. Learning outcomes: L01, L03 |
Week 9 (16 Sep - 22 Sep) |
Seminar |
Week 9: Writing for Children and Young Adults A practical approach to the craft of writing for younger readers, including language, structure, concepts and narrative drive. A discussion of writing opening chapters for a children's or YA novel. Be sure to read excerpts from The Road and The Maze Runner on Blackboard beforehand. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
Week 10 (30 Sep - 06 Oct) |
Seminar |
Week 10: Guest Lecturer from Ludo Studio, home of Bluey Guest lecture from Publishing Manager of Ludo Studio sharing some of the differences in editing and publishing children's books, brand books, and novelty formats. Workshopping our projects. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
Week 11 (07 Oct - 13 Oct) |
Not Timetabled |
Week 11: Public Holiday No seminar: Public Holiday King's Birthday |
Week 12 (14 Oct - 20 Oct) |
Seminar |
Week 12: Historical fiction for younger readers Australian children's laureate Jackie French talks about researching and writing historical fiction for younger readers Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
Week 13 (21 Oct - 27 Oct) |
Not Timetabled |
Week 13: Writing Week NO SEMINAR THIS WEEK. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments - Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.