Doctor of Philosophy in Creative Writing

Purpose

The purpose of the Doctor of Philosophy in Creative Writing is to produce literary works of international (translatable) quality, and which will be of service, not only to the writer's career and the publisher but also to the cultural life world of the country. Therefore, the qualification is aimed at a very specific kind of learner, one who is already skilled in scholarly research up to the level of a master's degree but is also already a proficient writer, preferably already published at a reputable publisher.

The qualification is designed to foster the critical and creative thinking of an inquiring mind and the problem-solving and innovative approaches of a dynamic professional at the forefront of creative writing. As learners' work will be of publishable standard, which would have an impact on literary works in SA (and possibly internationally), learners will become engaged citizens with insight into the interconnectedness of his or her topic of research with other cognate fields and the ability to conduct research-related critical and analytical thinking, in diverse contexts, both familiar and unfamiliar.

Upon completion of the qualification, a qualifying learner will be able to

• Apply expertise and critical knowledge of the literary-theoretical and literary-historical contexts within which literary texts are interrogated and created.
• Contribute to scholarly debates on knowledge within the field of creative writing.
• Utilise in-depth knowledge of complex literary texts and their associated skills in different related professions, such as that of publisher, reviewer, and teacher or lecturer.
• Rethink how research and creative writing can influence and have an impact on each other, and how research (especially in a country like South Africa) can be the basis of new and important, innovative writing.
• Critically reflect on own work and write substantial, independent, in-depth, and publishable work that meets international standards (i.e. translatable) and imagine on a new, unprecedented level.

Rationale

The book sector in South Africa needs literary works of high quality to keep the industry alive and flourishing.

The qualification aims to produce literary works of international (translatable) quality which will be of service, not only to the writer's career and the publisher but also to the cultural life world of the country. Therefore, the qualification is aimed at a very specific kind of learner, one who is already skilled in scholarly research up to the level of a master's degree but is also already a proficient writer, preferably already published at a reputable publisher. Because of its interdepartmental nature between the different language departments, the qualification aims to promote multilingualism and cross-cultural and international contact. As the qualification is not bound by a language, it will be accessible to international learners.

RPL for access

• Learners who do not meet the minimum entrance requirements or the required qualification that is at the same NQF level as the qualification required for admission may be considered for admission through RPL.
• To be considered for admission in the qualification based on RPL, applicants should provide evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that they have acquired the relevant knowledge, skills, and competencies through formal, non-formal and/or informal learning to cope with the qualification expectations.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Master of Arts in Creative Writing, NQF Level 9.

Or

• Master of Arts in English Literature, NQF Level 9.

Or

• Master of Arts in English Studies and Comparative Literature, NQF Level 9.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory module at National Qualifications Framework Level 10 totalling 360 Credits.

Compulsory Module, NQF Level 10, 360 credits.

• Creative Writing thesis, 360 Credits.

Exit Level Outcomes

1. Apply expertise and critical knowledge of the literary-theoretical and literary-historical contexts within which literary texts are interrogated and created.
2. Contribute to scholarly debates on knowledge within the field of creative writing.
3. Utilise in-depth knowledge of complex literary texts and their associated skills in different related professions, such as that of publisher, reviewer, and teacher or lecturer.
4. Rethink how research and creative writing can influence and impact each other, and how research (especially in a country like South Africa) can be the basis of new and important, innovative writing.
5. Critically reflect on own work and write substantial, independent, in-depth, and publishable work that meets international standards (i.e. translatable) and imagine on a new, unprecedented level.
6. Challenge and critically interact with other contemporary writing, national and international, thus making a significant contribution to the discipline, field, or practice.
7. Renew and alter existing South African (socio-political) literary concepts through critical research and writing ability, thus demonstrating intellectual independence and research leadership, and the ability to think on an abstract level and combine abstract and creative thinking.
8. Demonstrate appropriate knowledge of specialist, new writing, and research theories in a critically reflexive and creative way that is both ethical and innovative.

The following Associated Assessment Criteria are assessed in an integrated manner across all the Exit Level Outcomes

• Conceptualize expertise in literary and theoretical knowledge, in new research initiatives and innovative, complex, and relevant literary texts.
• Apply knowledge of and think in terms of theory as an instrument for understanding reality.
• Contribute to and lead scholarly debates around literary theories and creative processes, as well as contribute to the field of literary criticism.
• Apply gained specialist knowledge in a critically reflexive, creative, and novel way to address complex creative and theoretical problems occurring during the process of writing and researching.
• Independently identify and address ethical issues that emerge out of the writing and research process to develop significant original insights into new, complex, and abstract ideas, information, and issues.
• Produce a substantial, in-depth, and publishable literary work that meets international standards, is new or innovative by peers, and makes a significant contribution to the South African literary field.
• Disseminate and defend own research and creative work to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
• Play an important and intellectual role, and act independently in the field of creative literature and literary research.
• Defend own work and take full responsibility, both on a national and, when appropriate, international level.

INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT

Formative Assessment

Formative assessment includes regular meetings with the supervisor/s and written feedback on chapters/work submitted.

In this qualification, there will be an assessment for formative purposes by means of regular supervisor feedback on work that learners submit, i.e. learning through feedback. The MoU between the supervisor and learners will allow an opportunity to develop a sound and productive working relationship, which will include a work schedule catered for each learner. This will allow learners to learn from the feedback they receive for the submission of each identified component (i.e. research proposal, specific chapters, etc.) and through this learning improve future submissions.

Summative Assessment

The completed thesis will be used for summative purposes, as evidence of the learner's progress and to indicate whether the learner has mastered the identified research focus on the level required to be awarded the degree. Furthermore, the assessment will be guided by the nine principles for effective assessment in the SU Assessment Policy, especially learning-centred feedback (provided by supervisors during the staggered approach of the final thesis), academic integrity (as assurances are taken through the MoU and regular interaction with the students to show that the submitted work is the student's work), and fairness (as each student will be granted a fair chance to demonstrate their acquired knowledge and skills through the submission based on their identified research proposal).

The qualification is assessed by examination of a submitted dissertation, i.e. summative assessment. The dissertation format will align with that of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences in that submission entails a dissertation in which a theoretical component is integrated with a creative work. In the proposal, it should be made clear how the envisaged creative component belongs within the research problem,

The integrated format, as artistic research, includes creative work, in this case a literary work, as an integrated component of the doctoral research. This means that the PhD qualification in Creative Writing requires a candidate to produce a complex and innovative literary text and a piece of related scholarly research in the broader literary theoretical field.

The options of PhD by monograph or publications are not suited to the outcomes of the qualification as learners must produce literary works as part of their dissertations.

The word count for the academic component of 50% is 35 000 - 50 000 words.

The examination of the dissertation is performed by one unattached, internal (academic associated with Stellenbosch University, but not the supervisor) and two external examiners, not associated with Stellenbosch University. One of the external examiners should preferably be from an international institute or university.