IT-Universitetet i København
 
  Tilbage Kursusoversigt
Kursusbeskrivelse
Kursusnavn (dansk):Writing Innovation Studio 
Kursusnavn (engelsk):Writing Innovation Studio 
Semester:Forår 2018 
Udbydes under:cand.it., Digital Innovation & Management (dim) 
Omfang i ECTS:7,50 
Kursussprog:Engelsk 
Kursushjemmeside:https://learnit.itu.dk 
Min. antal deltagere:15 
Forventet antal deltagere:
Maks. antal deltagere:40 
Formelle forudsætninger:There are no formal prerequisites for this course. 
Læringsmål:After the course the student should be able to:

• Identify reliable, trustworthy empirical and scientific data, in contrast to unreliable or non-scientific data.
• Summarise the key arguments in an extended academic text.
• Apply literary writing skills, such as Point of View shifts and Storytelling approaches, to academic writing.
• Demonstrate competent and clear written communication in an extended piece of writing.
• Analyse and reflect on the effectiveness of different writing techniques for different written formats.
• Apply and reflect upon an innovative writing technique in a chosen written format. 
Fagligt indhold:Overview

Writing is an essential craft. Yet few, except professional writers, take the time to develop this skill. Writing clear, concise, and compelling arguments–knowing how to construct and tell a persuasive story–is crucial across industry and the digital world. Well-designed narratives can change the fortunes of a product, community, or company.

This is a practice-based course that will provide students with a set of word crafting tools and an online studio space to explore how to write for the public, industry colleagues, executive management, and academic specialists. Students will gain experience in creative writing techniques and storytelling, along with tools for working with diverse empirical data. They will learn how to transform given research material and ideas into compelling texts in a variety of formats, from press releases and executive summaries, to podcasts and editorial blog posts.

Emphasis is on written communication, but spoken and visual communication skills will also be included. Students will learn how to present and write for both conventional text, and a range of multimedia and digital platforms.

This course is open to all Masters students.

The course is taught in English and writing will be in English, but this is not a language course, nor are there language requirements. The only requirement is a willingness to experiment with writing, and a commitment to write regularly as part of the course.

Course Structure

The course is structured in 6 sections, each lasting 2 weeks.
Each section will focus on a different writing format, and different writing skills.
Sections may cover writing such as:

Summarising: How to read and condense an extended argument into a short abstract or summary.
Refining: How to write succinct and clear arguments for a high-level, executive audience, and develop good drafting practice.
Persuading: The art of persuasion and how to write with brevity and visual clarity on the page.
Data Working: What counts as good data, and how to use it in constructing text for the press and news.
Storytelling: Using techniques from creative writers and authors to construct more compelling arguments for a public audience.

Guest writers will be invited to talk to students in their specialist areas. For example, a journalist might come and talk about how to read and write press releases.

Writing Focus

There is no empirical research required for this course. Instead, students will focus on an existing research project at the ITU. This project will provide the empirical data and latest news that the student will reflect on in their writing. Students can choose which research project they wish to write about.

Several research projects will be offered, such as the Alien Energy research project on renewable energy; or a Big Data research project involving industry partners. 
Læringsaktiviteter:

Writing Studio
There will be an online, public blog maintained as part of the course. Students are expected to write for this blog, and to publish their work live. The blog and student’s writing will be publicised through twitter and other social media. Students will also be expected to make constructive comments on the blog.

Writing Work
Students will produce 6 different finished pieces of writing during the course. Each piece of writing will focus on a different writing skill, and provide experience of different writing formats. Formats might include: press release, executive summary, podcast script, blog editorial, project report, abstract.

Students will submit a portfolio of their best 4 pieces of work as part of their final exam.

Writing Workshop
There will be no lectures. Instead, students must attend weekly Writing Workshops. These are practice-based spaces where students will be introduced to a new writing skill, and will then be expected to produce writing, and to critique the writing of their peers. Visual and spoken techniques will also form part of these workshops. These workshops will be a creative, supportive space where students can experiment with their writing, take risks, and develop new writing skills.

Writing Journal
Students will be expected to keep a writing journal throughout the course. This can be digital or on paper. The journal will form the basis for their personal writing practice and development of good, regular writing habits. 

Obligatoriske aktivititer:Der er ingen obligatoriske aktiviteter. Vær venlig KUN at ændre denne tekst når der er obligatoriske aktiviteter./
There are no mandatory activities. Please, change this text ONLY when there are mandatory activities. 
Eksamensform og -beskrivelse:C: Skriftlige arbejder uden mundtlig eksamen., (7-scale, internal exam)

The exam report will constitute a portfolio of 4 selected pieces of writing completed during the course, plus a critical analysis that reflects on the techniques applied in the writing.  

Litteratur udover forskningsartikler:Example non-academic literature includes:

Guin, Ursula K. Le, Steering the Craft: Exercises and Discussions on Story Writing for the Lone Navigator or the Mutinous Crew (Portland, Or: Eighth Mountain Press, 1999)

Orwell, George, Why I write, in “Such, Such Were the Joys” (Harcourt Brace Jovanovich. NY, 1953).

Sagan, Carl, and Ann Druyan, The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark (London: Ballantine Books, 1997)