01 Introduction to the module (assessment); and first considerations of what “Social impact” writing is

Students will consider what social action writing is, understand the assessment for the module, and gain an understanding of the questions raised by the module.

02 Breaking apart Social impact: What's it mean and why care? 

Students will consider the meaning of writing for a social impact. Students will use historical and contemporary creative writing using examples of literature that has something to say, a message to give, and a world to show. Students will also consider the wider point of writing. 

03 The idea of being in “Conversation”: writing back towards power structures 

How do we write back against the powerful structures which define us? How do we write this from a distance and be in conversations - destructive, productive, and transformative - to effectively develop a writing voice. 

04 What power does to the powerless: censorship texts and their impacts 

This session will consider the effect that writing has to effectively empower and understand the effects of censorship on minority groups through historical lenses - such as Section 28. 

05 Writing the social: how to critique structures without being prosecuted 

Students will gain an understanding of how to fictionalise their critiques and be warned about the case studies of writers who have had their work used against them, 

06 Writing the impact: how to hone the message to jab the power where it hurts 

Students will understand how to effectively critique the institutions and power structures through the tools of parody and humour. 

07 Crisis point: how politically-charged writing looks forwards and helps combat crises

Students will understand how political writing looks forward to combat crises and how it effectively looks forward - through the mode of science fiction writing. 

08 Reported destruction in the area: writing about Social Impact writing and understanding its consequences

How do we report on social action writing in contemporary and historical contexts? How do we effectively write critically about it? This session will understand how writing about social impacts is sometimes tricky and why it's important to keep tabs on a shifting media landscape. 

09 Social challenges: demystifying the current political landscape to be socially sharp 

How do we navigate 21st century politics with the vast amount of misinformation, AI, and the news cycle being as it is? This session will provide you with some guidance and encourage you to poke holes in  existing social structures to prepare solutions. 

10 Who, what, where, why? Locating social change writing as a political, social, and historical form 

Locating social action writing is a challenging form, and this session will consider this from a historical and contemporary point of view. With the examples, students will try to create an analysis of the social, historical and political ideas which influences their own, and writers of their favourite pieces. 

11 Workshopping I: fiction

Workshop your fiction in a supportive environment and evaluate it with a supportive group of peers who will push your creative writing with a social activism focus to new heights! 

12 Workshopping II: artistic statement

Workshop your artist statement to ensure your work shines, is critically conscious, and effectively demonstrates the reflective rigor this module deserves. 

All assessments are coursework-based. In the rare exception where this is not coursework-based, it will be practically based. Every module we run, regardless of level, has two components: 

• Component A: A creative writing piece (professionally in a specific form)

• Component B: A critical piece which contextualises what you've written 

Component A: Creative Writing

1500 words developing a portfolio of writing throughout the module. Exercise(s) should be illustrate one (or more of) the following components: voice, narrative structure, world building, genre, character, dialogue in reference to ‘socially engaged writing’ as explored through the module. 

Component B: Reflection 

1500 words creative writing reflection, considering future directions and experimentation with social engagement as explored through the module; engaging with future directions for publication

Knowledge 

1. Students will gain an understanding of activist writing and its historical developments

2. Students will effectively understand the craft techniques associated with creating activist writing 

Practice

1. Students will develop their creative writing using an understanding of historical activist writing 

2. Students will develop editorial processes to create impactful activist fiction 

Skills Developed 

• Critical: advanced structural editing and development, engagement with critical theory

• Creative: reflective writing, structural editing, analytical skills, written and communication skills