Truth & Lies: Lyric Essay, Life Writing, Reportage

Undergraduate | 2026

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Mode icon
Mode
Mode
Your studies will be on-campus, and may include some online delivery
On campus
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Area/Catalogue
CREA 3031
Course ID icon
Course ID
205874
Campus icon
Campus
Adelaide City Campus East
Level of study
Level of study
Undergraduate
Unit value icon
Unit value
6
Course owner
Course owner
School of Humanities
Course coordinator
Course coordinator
Patrick Flanery
Course level icon
Course level
3
Work Integrated Learning course
Work Integrated Learning course
No
Study abroad and student exchange icon
Inbound study abroad and exchange
Inbound study abroad and exchange
The fee you pay will depend on the number and type of courses you study.
Yes
University-wide elective icon
University-wide elective course
Yes
Single course enrollment
Single course enrolment
Yes

Course overview

What are the claims of truth when we sit down to write a work of creative nonfiction? What do we owe subjects of life writing in terms of veracity, even when those subjects might be our own selves? This course explores the development of the vast and varied field of creative nonfiction, introducing students to some of the most thrilling work and urgent critical debates in a genre that spans life writing, cultural reportage, and lyric essay, amongst a number of other forms. Students will produce their own works of creative nonfiction and close readings of set texts.

Course learning outcomes

  • Confidently interpret and respond to a range of contemporary literary and critical texts
  • Begin to demonstrate the ability to frame creative nonfiction projects, produce plans for their research and execution, and fulfil these to deadlines;
  • Engage rigorously and self-reflexively with selected creative nonfiction texts and the global and historical contexts of their production
  • Write and revise polished creative nonfiction texts that demonstrate high levels of clarity, aestheticinnovation, and sophistication
  • Critically evaluate their own and others' writing, both orally and in writing
  • Engage seriously, sensitively, and respectfully with their peers, both in person and online, to provide substantive and productive feedback on creative work.

Availability

Census date Icon
Census date
Fri 04/09/2026
Enrol by date
Enrol by date
Fri 21/08/2026
Last day to W
Last day to W
Fri 18/09/2026
Last day to WF
Last day to WF
Fri 16/10/2026

Class details

Adelaide City Campus East

Class number
Class number 52101
Section
Section LE01
Size
Size 70
Available
Available 70
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
4 Aug - 22 Sep Tuesday 11:10am - 12pm Adelaide City Campus East Napier, 208
13 Oct - 10 Nov Tuesday 11:10am - 12pm Adelaide City Campus East Napier, 208
Class number
Class number 52103
Section
Section TU01
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 30
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
7 Aug - 25 Sep Friday 1:10pm - 3pm Adelaide City Campus East Bonython Jubilee, BJ3-34
16 Oct - 13 Nov Friday 1:10pm - 3pm Adelaide City Campus East Bonython Jubilee, BJ3-34
Class number
Class number 52102
Section
Section TU02
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 30
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
6 Aug - 24 Sep Thursday 2:10pm - 4pm Adelaide City Campus East Engin and Maths Sciences, 218
15 Oct - 12 Nov Thursday 2:10pm - 4pm Adelaide City Campus East Engin and Maths Sciences, 218
Class number
Class number 52104
Section
Section TU03
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 30
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
4 Aug - 22 Sep Tuesday 2:10pm - 4pm Adelaide City Campus East Marjoribanks, 1.28
13 Oct - 10 Nov Tuesday 2:10pm - 4pm Adelaide City Campus East Marjoribanks, 1.28

Prerequisite(s)

N/A

Corequisite(s)

N/A

Antirequisite(s)

  • Must not have completed CRWR3009 Truth & Lies - Lyric Essay, Life Writing, Reportage at the University of Adelaide

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The Student Contribution amount displayed below is for students commencing a new program from 2021 onwards. If you are continuing in a program you commenced prior to 1 January 2021, or are commencing an Honours degree relating to an undergraduate degree you commenced prior to 1 January 2021, you may be charged a different Student Contribution amount from the amount displayed below. Please check the Student Contribution bands for continuing students here. If you are an international student, or a domestic student studying in a full fee paying place, and are continuing study that you commenced in 2025 or earlier, your fees will be available here before enrolments open for 2026.