Undergraduate & honours qualifications

Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing

Qualification code: 99313
NQF level: 7
Total credits: 360
SAQA ID: 101246
APS/AS: 20
Rules:
This qualification consists of 30 modules. Students should note that during the course of their studies they would be required to have access to a computer or laptop, printer and the internet.
Purpose statement:
Purpose of this qualification include: To familiarise learners with the content and basic theories of a number of disciplines in the humanities and social sciences, at the basic and intermediate level, and to provide them with a deeper grasp of one or more of these disciplines taken at exit level (level 6), as well as to enable them to place new knowledge in context and to use appropriate methods for seeking resolution of problems; To provide learners with a variety of basic scholarly and intellectual competencies, including the ability to question critically the assumptions of a limited range of theories and authorities, and to develop an understanding of elementary research methods used within one or more disciplines; To equip learners with the ability to give an accurate account of scholarly positions and the competence to express their own opinions clearly and coherently, both in written and oral communication; To prepare learners for post learner study; To provide learners with a well-rounded and broad education across a number of disciplines, thus preparing them for a wide range of professions crucial to the welfare of society; To produce learners who are able to think laterally, critically and creatively; To produce learners who are prepared for life-long learning; To produce learners who understand the principles of, and are capable of critical citizenship.
This qualification will be presented using both online and distance learning modes.

Who can register?

  • Applicants (new applicants & Unisa students who applied for admission to a new qualification) may only register if they have received an offer of placement from Unisa and have accepted the offer online. Unisa reserves the right to not process and / or to cancel your registration if it is found that you were incorrectly admitted to a qualification. 
  • Re-registering students may register for the 2024 academic year once the registration period opens.

Please note: Should you wish to start a new qualification, please apply online for the alternative qualification during the prescribed application period.


How to choose your modules

Each Unisa qualification is structured in such a way that you need to pass a certain number of NQF level credits within a certain amount of time in order to graduate.

  • Co-requisite: Module A is a co-requisite for Module B. You want to register for Module B, but have not yet passed Module A. You must then register for both Modules A and B simultaneously. You may NOT cancel your registration for Module A unless Module B is also cancelled.
  • Pre-requisite: If Module A is a pre-requisite for Module B, you must pass Module A before you may register for Module B.

You may not register for more than the allowed maximum number of credits / modules per academic year and / or semester: 60 credits per semester or 120 credits per academic year.

The maximum number of credits do not include supplementary and / or aegrotat examinations from a previous semester. Modules taken for non-degree / non-diploma purposes also count towards the maximum number of credits allowed.

You must take your available time into consideration when choosing your modules, as this will impact your academic performance. You need approximately

  • 6 to 8 hours per week for semester modules.
  • 4 to 6 hours per week for year modules.

Click here for more information on managing your studies.

Curriculum for this qualification

While you are deciding on the modules for which you will be registering, write down the module names and codes so that you have something to refer to when completing your registration.

Please click on the modules below to see further information (eg semester/year module, NQF level)

First level

Module (Please click on the module to see further information) Pre-requisite/Co-requisite/Recommendation
Group A. Compulsory
KSK1601 - Introduction to Creative Writing: A Practical Course Pre-requisite:THL1501 & THL1502
LIN1502 - Multilingualism: the Role of Language in the South African Context
THL1501 - Introduction to Theory of Literature
THL1502 - Introduction to Literary Genres
Group B. Compulsory for Afrikaans major
AFK1501 - Voetspore: Op reis deur die Afrikaanse Letterkunde
AFK1502 - Inleiding tot teksontwerp in Afrikaans
Group C. Compulsory for African Language major
AFL1501 - Language Through an African Lens
AFL1502 - African Language and Culture in Practice
Group D. Compulsory for English Studies major
ENG1501 - Foundations in English Literary Studies
ENG1502 - Foundations in English Language Studies
Group E. Compulsory for French major
FRC1501 - French Language and Culture: Beginners
FRC1502 - French Language and Culture: Lower Intermediate Pre-requisite:FRC1501
Group F. Compulsory for Mandarin Chinese major
MAN1501 - Mandarin Chinese: Beginners
MAN1502 - Mandarin Chinese: Elementary Level Pre-requisite:MAN1501
Group G. Compulsory for Portuguese major
PTU1501 - Portuguese Language and Culture: Beginners
PTU1502 - Portuguese Language and Culture: Lower Intermediate Pre-requisite:PTU1501
Group H. Electives, choose both modules below plus 2 1st level language modules from a different major.
AHS1511 - Ancient Mythology in Context
ARH1501 - Visual Literacy

Second level

Students transferred from the previous program (N11) are exempted from this module THL2603.

WLL2601 has been replaced by ARH2601, students who have already passed WLL2601 may not register
ARH2601.
WLL2602 has been replaced by ARH2603, students who have already passed WLL2602 may not register
ARH2603.

Module (Please click on the module to see further information) Pre-requisite/Co-requisite/Recommendation
Group A. Compulsory
COM2604 - Media Studies: Mass Communication and Media Theory
KSK2601 - Intermediate Creative Writing: A Practical Course Pre-requisite:KSK1601
THL2601 - Theory of the Sign in Literature and Culture Pre-requisite:THL1501
THL2602 - Structuralist and Semiotic Theories of Genre Pre-requisite:THL1502
THL2603 - Theories in Context - Ideology and Discourse
Group B. Compulsory for Afrikaans major: Choose 3 modules in the same group from the following
AFK2601 - Genre and Theme
AFK2602 - Afrikaanse Grammatika Recommendation:Students to complete AFK1502 or AFK1503 before they enrol for this module.
TEX2601 - Writing Skills for the Communication Industry Recommendation:AFK1502 (for students who major in Afrikaans)
Group C. Compulsory for African Language major
AFL2601 - Communication Dynamics in African Languages Recommendation:Students to complete AFL1501 and AFL1502 before they enrol for this module.
AFL2602 - Understanding African Management Practices as Reflected in African Languages Literature and Texts Recommendation:Students to complete AFL1501 and AFL1502 before they enrol for this module.
AFL2603 - Literature and Society: a Perspective on African Languages Recommendation:Students to complete AFL1501 and AFL1502 before they enrol for this module.
Group D. Compulsory for English Studies major
ENG2601 - Applied English Language Studies: Further Explorations Pre-requisite:ENG1502
ENG2602 - Genres in Literature and Language: Theory, Style and Poetics Pre-requisite:ENG1501 & ENG1502
ENG2603 - Colonial and Postcolonial African Literatures Pre-requisite:ENG1501 & ENG1502
Group E. Compulsory for French major
FRC2601 - French Language and Culture: Intermediate Pre-requisite:FRC1502
FRC2602 - French for Professional Purposes: Introduction Pre-requisite:FRC1502
FRC2603 - French Literature: Introduction Pre-requisite:FRC1502
Group F. Compulsory for Mandarin Chinese major plus any 1 module from another group
MAN2601 - Mandarin Chinese: Intermediate Level I Recommendation:Students to complete MAN1502 before they enrol for this module.
MAN2602 - Mandarin Chinese: Intermediate Level II Co-requisite:MAN2601
Group G. Compulsory for Portuguese major plus any 1 module from another group
PTU2601 - Portuguese Language and Culture: Intermediate Level Pre-requisite:PTU1502
PTU2602 - Modern Portuguese Literature and Society Pre-requisite:PTU1502
Co-requisite:PTU2601
Group H. Note that if major has 3 modules you need 2 electives but if major has 2 modules you need 3 electives. Choose 2 or 3 of the following or 2 or 3 Language modules not selected as major.
ARH2601 - The Arts and Ideology I Pre-requisite:ARH1501
ARH2603 - Visual Culture I Pre-requisite:ARH1501
LIN2602 - Language in a Changing World

Third level

From 2024, AFL3702 has been unbundled into various African Languages, students who have not
registered AFL3702 must register for either NDE3702, NSO3702, SSO3702, SWA3702, TSO3702, TSW3702,
VEN3702, XHO3702, ZUL3702, etc.

Module (Please click on the module to see further information) Pre-requisite/Co-requisite/Recommendation
Group A. Compulsory
KSK3701 - Advanced Creative Writing: A Practical Course Pre-requisite:KSK2601
THL3701 - Advanced Narrative Theory (Theory of Literature) Pre-requisite:THL2602
THL3702 - Advanced Theory of Drama (Theory of Literature) Pre-requisite:THL2602
THL3703 - Advanced Theory of Poetry (Theory of Literature) Pre-requisite:THL2602
THL3704 - Theory and Practice of South African Literary Studies Pre-requisite:THL2602
Group B. Compulsory for Afrikaans major: Choose 5 modules in the same group from the following
AFK3701 - Communicative Scenario's
AFK3702 - Comparatism: Intertextual Dialogues
AFK3703 - Language Variation and Language Politics Pre-requisite:AFK2601, AFK2602 & TEX2601
AFK3704 - Ekokritiek: Mens, teks en omgewing /Ecocriticism: Man, text and environment
TEX3701 - Persuasive Texts
Group C. Compulsory for African Language major. Select AFL3701, and any language you wish to major in from 02, 03, 04 & 05
AFL3701 - African Languages: The Science of Language in Context Recommendation:Students to complete AFL2601, AFL2602 and AFL2603 before they enrol for this module.
NDE3702 - Indigenous Knowledge Systems and African Languages (IsiNdebele) Recommendation:It is recommended that students complete NQF Level 6 (AFL2601, AFL2602 and AFL2603) before they enrol for this module.
NDE3703 - An Introduction to Language Policy and Planning in South Africa: the Case of African Languages Recommendation:Students to complete AFL2601, AFL2602 and AFL2603 before they enrol for this module.
NDE3704 - Language Technology, Terminography and Lexicography (Isindebele) Recommendation:Students to complete AFL2601, AFL2602 and AFL2603 before they enrol for this module.
NDE3705 - Creative Writing and Translation (IsiNdebele) Recommendation:Students to complete AFL2601, AFL2602 and AFL2603 before they enrol for this module.
NSO3702 - Indigenous Knowledge Systems and African Languages (Sepedi) Recommendation:Students should demonstrate competence in at least one indigenous African language of South Africa. It is recommended that students complete NQF Level 6 (AFL2601, AFL2602 and AFL2603) before they enrol for this module.
NSO3703 - An Introduction to Language Policy and Planning in South Africa: the Case of African Languages (Sepedi) Recommendation:Students should demonstrate competence in at least one indigenous African language of South Africa. It is recommended that students complete NQF Level 6 (AFL2601, AFL2602 and AFL2603) before they enrol for this module.
NSO3704 - Language Technology, Terminography and Lexicography (Sepedi) Recommendation:Students should demonstrate competence in at least one indigenous African language of South Africa. It is recommended that students complete NQF Level 6 (AFL2601, AFL2602 and AFL2603) before they enrol for this module.
NSO3705 - Creative Writing and Translation (Sepedi) Recommendation:Students should demonstrate competence in at least one indigenous African language of South Africa. It is recommended that students complete NQF Level 6 (AFL2601, AFL2602 and AFL2603) before they enrol for this module.
SSO3702 - Indigenous Knowledge Systems and African Languages (Sesotho) Recommendation:It is recommended that students complete NQF Level 6 (AFL2601, AFL2602 and AFL2603) before they enrol for this module.
SSO3703 - An Introduction to Language Policy and Planning in South Africa: the Case of African Languages Recommendation:Students to complete AFL2601, AFL2602 and AFL2603 before they enrol for this module.
SSO3704 - Language Technology, Terminography and Lexicography (Sesotho) Recommendation:Students to complete AFL2601, AFL2602 and AFL2603 before they enrol for this module.
SSO3705 - Creative Writing and Translation (Sesotho) Recommendation:Students to complete AFL2601, AFL2602 and AFL2603 before they enrol for this module.
SWA3702 - Indigenous Knowledge Systems and African Languages (Siswati) Recommendation:It is recommended that students complete NQF Level 6 (AFL2601, AFL2602 and AFL2603) before they enrol for this module.
SWA3703 - An Introduction to Language Policy and Planning in South Africa: the Case of African Languages Recommendation:Students to complete AFL2601, AFL2602 and AFL2603 before they enrol for this module.
SWA3704 - Language Technology, Terminography and Lexicography (Siswati) Recommendation:Students to complete AFL2601, AFL2602 and AFL2603 before they enrol for this module.
SWA3705 - Creative Writing and Translation (Siswati) Recommendation:Students to complete AFL2601, AFL2602 and AFL2603 before they enrol for this module.
TSO3702 - Indigenous Knowledge Systems and African Languages (Xitsonga) Recommendation:It is recommended that students complete NQF Level 6 (AFL2601, AFL2602 and AFL2603) before they enrol for this module.
TSO3703 - An Introduction to Language Policy and Planning in South Africa: the Case of African Languages Recommendation:Students to complete AFL2601, AFL2602 and AFL2603 before they enrol for this module.
TSO3704 - Language Technology, Terminography and Lexicography (Xitsonga) Recommendation:Students to complete AFL2601, AFL2602 and AFL2603 before they enrol for this module.
TSO3705 - Creative Writing and Translation (Xitsonga) Recommendation:Students to complete AFL2601, AFL2602 and AFL2603 before they enrol for this module.
TSW3702 - Indigenous Knowledge Systems and African Languages (Setswana) Recommendation:It is recommended that students complete NQF Level 6 (AFL2601, AFL2602 and AFL2603) before they enrol for this module.
TSW3703 - An Introduction to Language Policy and Planning in South Africa: the Case of African Languages Recommendation:Recommendation: Students to complete AFL2601, AFL2602 and AFL2603 before they enrol for this module.
TSW3704 - Language Technology, Terminography and Lexicography (Setswana) Recommendation:Students to complete AFL2601, AFL2602 and AFL2603 before they enrol for this module.
TSW3705 - Creative Writing and Translation (Setswana) Recommendation:Students to complete AFL2601, AFL2602 and AFL2603 before they enrol for this module.
VEN3702 - Indigenous Knowledge Systems and African Languages (Tshivenda) Recommendation:It is recommended that students complete NQF Level 6 (AFL2601, AFL2602 and AFL2603) before they enrol for this module.
VEN3703 - An Introduction to Language Policy and Planning in South Africa: the Case of African Languages Recommendation:Students to complete AFL2601, AFL2602 and AFL2603 before they enrol for this module.
VEN3704 - Language Technology, Terminography and Lexicography (Tshivenda) Recommendation:Students to complete AFL2601, AFL2602 and AFL2603 before they enrol for this module.
VEN3705 - Creative Writing and Translation (Tshivenda) Recommendation:Students to complete AFL2601, AFL2602 and AFL2603 before they enrol for this module.
XHO3702 - Indigenous Knowledge Systems and African Languages (isiXhosa) Recommendation:It is recommended that students complete NQF Level 6 (AFL2601, AFL2602 and AFL2603) before they enrol for this module.
XHO3703 - An Introduction to Language Policy and Planning in South Africa: the Case of African Languages Recommendation:Students to complete AFL2601, AFL2602 and AFL2603 before they enrol for this module.
XHO3704 - Language Technology, Terminography and Lexicography (IsiXhosa) Recommendation:Students to complete AFL2601, AFL2602 and AFL2603 before they enrol for this module.
XHO3705 - Creative Writing and Translation (IsiXhosa) Recommendation:Students to complete AFL2601, AFL2602 and AFL2603 before they enrol for this module.
ZUL3702 - Indigenous Knowledge Systems and African Languages (isiZulu) Recommendation:It is recommended that students complete NQF Level 6 (AFL2601, AFL2602 and AFL2603) before they enrol for this module.
ZUL3703 - An Introduction to Language Policy and Planning in South Africa: the Case of African Languages Recommendation:Students to complete AFL2601, AFL2602 and AFL2603 before they enrol for this module
ZUL3704 - Language Technology, Terminography and Lexicography (IsiZulu) Recommendation:Students to complete AFL2601, AFL2602 and AFL2603 before they enrol for this module.
ZUL3705 - Creative Writing and Translation (IsiZulu) Recommendation:Students to complete AFL2601, AFL2602 and AFL2603 before they enrol for this module.
Group D. Compulsory for English Studies major
ENG3701 - The History and Spread of English Pre-requisite:ENG2601, ENG2602 & ENG2603
ENG3702 - The English Language: Context and Purpose Pre-requisite:ENG2601, ENG2602 & ENG2603
ENG3703 - Theoretical Approaches to English Language and Literature Pre-requisite:ENG2601, ENG2602 & ENG2603
ENG3704 - Shakespeare's Dramatic Art Pre-requisite:ENG2601, ENG2602 & ENG2603
ENG3705 - Modern and Postmodern Literature in English Pre-requisite:ENG2601, ENG2602 & ENG2603
Group E. Compulsory for French major
FRC3701 - French Language and Culture: Advanced Oral Pre-requisite:FRC2601
FRC3702 - French for Professional Purposes: Hotel and Tourism Pre-requisite:FRC2601
FRC3703 - French Literature: France (Advanced) Pre-requisite:FRC2601
FRC3704 - French Literature: Francophone Countries (Advanced) Pre-requisite:FRC2601
FRC3705 - Practical Translation from and Into French Pre-requisite:FRC2601
Group F. Compulsory for Mandarin Chinese major
MAN3701 - Mandarin Chinese: Upper-intermediate level Pre-requisite:MAN2602
MAN3702 - Mandarin Chinese: Advanced Level I Pre-requisite:MAN2602
Recommendation:Students to register together with MAN3701
MAN3703 - Mandarin Chinese: Advanced Level II Pre-requisite:MAN3702
Recommendation:Students to register together with MAN3701
MAN3704 - Mandarin Chinese: Proficient Level I Pre-requisite:MAN3703
MAN3705 - Mandarin Chinese: Proficient Level II Pre-requisite:MAN3703
Group G. Compulsory for Portuguese major
PTU3701 - Portuguese Language for Specific Purposes: Advanced Pre-requisite:PTU2601
PTU3702 - Portuguese Translation Practice Pre-requisite:PTU3701
PTU3703 - Advanced Language Skills in Portuguese (Oral and Written) Pre-requisite:PTU3701
PTU3704 - Modern Brazilian Literature and Society Pre-requisite:PTU2601 & PTU2602
PTU3705 - Lusophone African Literature Pre-requisite:PTU2601 & PTU2602