Global Education and Field Study
Australia - EN286 - Writing Melbourne
Block 5 - Spring 2027
EN286: Topics in Creative Writing: Writing Melbourne
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA
This course uses Melbourne as both subject and classroom, embedding students in one of the Southern Hemisphere's most dynamic cities while developing their skills in cultural journalism and creative nonfiction. Based at Victoria University's city campus, we will explore Melbourne's status as a UNESCO City of Literature through multiple lenses: its thriving independent music ecosystem, its reputation as the sporting capital of Australia, and its internationally recognized food culture. A central theme will be examining how Melbourne's cultural institutions and public spaces engage with Indigenous histories and rights, providing students with a valuable comparative perspective on how different settler-colonial societies approach questions of recognition and reconciliation.
Students will work as a collaborative editorial team to produce a series of written works that collectively map Melbourne's cultural geography. Assignments will include profiles of local artists and athletes, critical reviews of performances and restaurants, and reported essays on the city's engagement with its Aboriginal heritage. Through daily writing workshops, field reporting assignments, and conversations with local cultural producers and critics, students will develop sophisticated tools for cultural analysis while building a portfolio of work that captures Melbourne's distinctive character. The final product will be a curated digital guide that offers future visitors a nuanced portrait of this complex and creative city.
Course led by Prof. Steven Hayward
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Last updated: 06/26/2026