Creative Writing through Distance Learning
I've been writing tutorials for Lancaster University's Distance Learning Creative Writing MA today. Distance Learning works well for creative writing - while teaching on their MA program I've been doing my Creative Writing PhD at Lancaster in the same mode. The schedule includes a summer school (pictured - I'm the male one in red), online conferences in which students debate each others' work, and a series of written tutorials. Exploring writing by means of writing, without the nuances of facial expression, gesture, voice etc., is a fine skill to develop. It's impressive how much all students work has developed over the last year or so.
Fees for distance learning courses in the UK are lower than campus-based ones, presumably because you make little use of the university's physical structure. I was amused to learn from a colleague in Cambridge, Massachusetts, that the USA works out its fee schedules differently. They reckon distance learning means students can stay at home, so saving residential fees, and can maintain their day jobs. Students have more money, so what do the universities do? Take it from them. They up the fees.
Time for creative writing departments in the UK to market to the US.
posted by Martin at 1:35 PM
13 Comments:
"Time for creative writing departments in the UK to market to the US."
You are correct, and things show no signs of improvement here. A pickpocket mentality has definitely taken hold in American higher education. It's difficult to see most places as more than hatcheries for the wealthier ninnies among us. I wouldn't defame finishing schools by making a comparison, because they at least don't pretend to be anythng else.
Don't get me started on creative writing programs. With one or two exceptions, things have truly devolved: one faces a choice between a complete lack of standards or an opressive theoretical rigidity. (The price tends to remain roughly
equivalent.)
So yes, marketing initiatives would likely succeed. As our fearful leader once muttered, "Bring it on..."
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Stuff and nonsense.
What I've read so far is all content-oriented. Like a football schedule.
Where in *&#@ is the creative writing?
--Disgruntled piggie former writing teacher.
´Where´s the creative writing? It´s what each student brings - along with its own potential. It´s a time when you can break bounds, work hrough other voices to discover your own, take time out from the publishing process of vain hopes and harsh rejections to truly work on voice and art, and seeing how that fits into the minds and experience of committed readers (eg tutors and fellow students)
I ma not trying to be offensive here: this is what I currently believe.
I sometimes wonder whether these courses actually take the 'creative' out of 'creative writing'. And, could they be a factor in quickening demise of fiction? Sausage machines produce sausages and sausages made on these machines all taste the same.
I don't believe these courses are any better than the hundreds of how-to-write books on the markets. The courses and books are just another money-spinner for all concerned.
And once again I am not trying to offend when I ask: are creative writing courses there to give a handful of writers a bit of income between books?
Upon re-reading my above post made 24 hours or so ago, it DOES come across as offensive and I offer my sincerest apologies.
One can only read so many reports of the dire straits that fiction publishing is in without sinking into depression. I will remember not to comment on blogs when I am in such a mood again.
One of the odd things about teaching creative writing is that you whizz out all these great lessons, but the ones students most enjoy are when they are critiquing each other's work. Of course, you have prompted that work and created the environment in which discussion can happen, given guidance on how to critique constructively etc etc. These courses give writing time, space, respect, company, expert and impassioned attention - where else are you going to get that?
Once again I find another 'death of the novel/fiction' article in the book review section of my Saturday paper.
It can be so depressing.
You're doing your PhD in creative writing at Lancaster as a low-residency programme? I'm curious because I've just been looking at the Lancaster website for exactly that, and I didn't see it listed as an option; only the M.A.
I have been looking at this program myself today, and found the price difference between distance learning in the U.K. and the U.S. interesting. Of course in my case, I would probably end up paying the same or more - I would love to do a distance learning in the U.K. but I'm from the U.S. so I'd make up for the cost in flights. What advice would you have for someone like me looking into this program? Thanks.
I've become somewhat detached from that Lancaster program recently, having moved to teach at the University of Plymouth. Lancaster's course is good, but oversubscribed now I think. In fact, someone has just signed on at Plymouth having been directed through this log posting to Lancaster and found them full. The price difference is real (though the US might give funding) - and, I think, the time in which you get to complete the PhD is also somewhat different (the standard in the UK is 3 years, though part-time lengthens that while reducing the fees). Plymouth hasn't developed the same e-community around distance learning PhDs, and doesn't especially differentiate, but then I think the supervisory role is achieved quite well simply through email attachments. Put out feelers and see how the reaction of UK universities is, see if you sense the appropriate kinship / authority. The costs of flying in every year obviously have to be taken into account ... but you could always build a writing retreat into that. Devon and Cornwall (Plymouth is on the edge of both here in the South West) is pretty fine for writing retreats.
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Martin, I've just checked out the fees for distance learning at Lancaster and they are actually more expensive than if you go there to study on campus! Additionally, Lancaster seem to be twice as expensive as some of the competitors (similar Uni courses run by distance learning that also lead to an MA). I've found this out whilst researching options. Any comments? Liz
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