Graduate Diploma of Literary Studies

2024 Deakin University Handbook

Year

2024 course information

Award granted Graduate Diploma of Literary Studies
Deakin course codeA635
Faculty

Faculty of Arts and Education

OnlineYes
Duration

1 year full-time or part-time equivalent

Course Map - enrolment planning tool

This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 1 2024.

This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 2 2024.


Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser in Student Central.

Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition

The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 8

Course sub-headings

Course overview

Transform your passion for reading and writing into in-demand professional skills through Deakin’s Graduate Diploma of Literary Studies. In it, you will explore a diverse range of literary texts and theories and refine your analytical, writing and critical thinking abilities, which are highly valued by employers. In addition, opportunities to get your work published or undertake an internship will give you sought-after industry experience and expand your professional network.

Under the guidance of academic staff who are leading international scholars and published authors, you will gain a broad exposure to contemporary and historical literature, expand your knowledge of literary theory, and develop a nuanced understanding of how texts function. This in-depth knowledge combined with industry-relevant experiences will equip you with a unique skill set ready for an exciting career in your chosen field.

Ready to achieve your dream of a fulfilling career working with the written word?

Through this industry-shaped course, you will interrogate a diverse array of writing forms (fiction, non-fiction, memoir, genre fiction) and explore how certain ideas and ideologies are either perpetuated or disrupted through the written word. This rich curation of texts both new and familiar will expand your literary horizons and help you strengthen your ability to identify, analyse and experiment with the specific techniques that bring great literary texts to life.

Take advantage of Deakin’s strong partnerships with industry through the opportunity to undertake an internship at organisations such as literary festivals, publishing houses, literary agents, libraries, copywriting agencies and literary magazines. You’ll also get the chance to have your work published in publications such as Deakin’s long-standing international literary journal, Verandah.

Deakin’s new annual postgraduate publication, which features select creative works from postgraduate students, provides further opportunity for your work to be published or for you to gain valuable experience working behind the scenes on production.

Whether you are looking to embark on further research in a related field or forge your path in the publishing or creative industries, this course will equip you with the real-world experience and transferable skills to give you a competitive edge as you pursue the career you want.

Career opportunities

As a literary studies graduate, you will have the in-depth knowledge and professional analytical and writing skills to pursue a variety of career opportunities across public and private sectors including communications, advertising, publishing, education and research.

Career opportunities include: author, editor, copywriter, literary agent.

For more information go to DeakinTALENT

Participation requirements

Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. More information available at Disability support services.

Mandatory student checks

Any unit which contains work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, Working with Children Check or other check.

Fees and charges

The available fee places for this course are detailed above. Not all courses at Deakin have Commonwealth supported places available.

The 'Estimated tuition fee' is provided as a guide only based on a typical enrolment of students completing this course within the same year. The cost will vary depending on the units you choose, your study load, the length of your course and any approved Recognition of prior learning.

One year full-time study load is typically represented by eight credit points of study. Each unit you enrol in has a credit point value. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is calculated by adding together eight credit points of a typical combination of units for your course.

You can find the credit point value of each unit under the Unit Description by searching for the unit in the Handbook.

Learn more about fees and available payment options.

Course Learning Outcomes

Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes

Course Learning Outcomes

Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities

Articulate specialist knowledge of a range of literary theories, concepts, and approaches, and apply them to works of literature.

Communication

Communicate through writing that employs advanced command of the critical and theoretical vocabularies and language required to interpret, argue and fluently and persuasively transmit ideas about writing and literature.

Digital literacy

Employ a range of technologies and make evaluative judgments in the use of research databases, bibliographic and digital communication technologies to research, produce and present scholarly work in writing and literature.

Critical thinking

Utilise theory and research to critically analyse and evaluate the influence of narrative strategies, genre conventions and cultural assumptions and apply to the examination of works of literature.

Problem solving

Apply theoretical, historical and contemporary critical and analytical approaches to the sophisticated design and execution of solutions to a range of scholarly, aesthetic and ideological problems that emerge from the analysis of literature.

Self-management

Act with autonomy and initiative while being accountable for working effectively, efficiently and to a high standard in order to achieve goals in writing and literature.

Teamwork

Actively contribute to peer feedback activities and make constructive, respectful, and informed contributions to creative and critical collaboration in writing and literature

Global citizenship

Identify, select, and critically analyse culturally relevant literary theories, concepts, and approaches to interpreting works of literature.

Approved by Faculty Board September 2021

Course rules

To qualify for the Graduate Diploma of Literary Studies, students must successfully complete 8 credit points of study comprising:

  • 1 credit point compulsory core unit;
  • 4 credit points of course electives from List A;
  • 3 credit points of electives chosen from units within the specialisations of the Master of Arts (Writing and Literature) or Master of Communication or the core or electives of the Master of Creative Arts including ACC700 Communication and Creative Arts Internship
  • DAI001 Academic Integrity Module (0-credit-point compulsory unit)

Course structure

Core unit

ALL743Foundations in Narrative Theory

Course Electives List A

Select 4 from the following:

ALL705Vision and Revision: Short Stories Now

ALL706Fantasy and Historical Fictions

ALL708Graphic Narratives

ALL722Texts for Young Adults

ALL784Life Writing Now

ALL727Sex, the Body, and American Poetry

Students may choose to include the 5th unit listed above as 1 of the 3 electives

Electives

3 credit points of electives chosen from units within the specialisations of the Master of Arts (Writing and Literature) or the Master of Communication or the core or electives of the Master of Creative Arts including ACC700 Communication and Creative Arts Internship.

Work experience

Elective units may provide the opportunity for Work Integrated Learning experiences.

Other course information

Course duration

Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as accessing or completing work placements.

Further information

Student Central can help you with course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements.

Other learning experiences

There will be opportunities throughout the course for students to engage with industry professionals. These experiences will be integrated into units where students will have external clients or industry representatives provide content to more closely connect the learning experience with industry practices.