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Collective Writing
Kollektives Schreiben
Last Updated: 2026-02-05 16:15:41
Abstract
Collective writing practices are common in many fields of research, although seldom reflected upon. Currently, they receive more theoretical attention in contemporary literature, which has a lot to teach about their epistemological merits.
Objective
The course aims to train writing practices, develop new formats of co-writing and to investigate what effects different collaboration settings entail. We try to analyse how different degrees of individual/private and collective/public constellations affect the practice of writing – especially when we start from a poetic and fictional writing with its own epistemological framework. In that, we will get an understanding of the little-known problems and opportunities which co-writing poses and we will be capable of using this analysis to improve co-writing settings.
Content
"Endlich schreiben wir wieder gemeinsam an einem Buch, sagst du. Aber natürlich wissen wir wieder einmal nicht, was dieses Gemeinsame ist und wie es funktionieren soll." (Avanessian/Hennig, I+I) It is often overlooked how crucial the practices of co-writing are for many disciplines and research areas (as in journalism and in the private sector). Fictional literature, in contrast, has long neglected collective writing despite agencies, publishers, editors, proofreaders and writer's circles who are often all together involved in publishing a book. However, supported by technological and societal innovations, a strand of contemporary writing is putting co-writing in the spotlight and investigates afresh how certain practices of collaboration influence its epistemic processes. In this course, we will work on our own writing practices by training non-scientific writing and confronting our obstacles in doing so. On top of that, we try and test different forms of collective and collaborative writing. We read and discuss collectively written texts and analyse how different formats (like ping-pong, co-publishing, simultaneous writing, fan fiction, burst sessions and more) affect the output product, the individual practice and the epistemological process. In cooperation with literary institutions like the Aargauer Literaturhaus Lenzburg we will communicate our findings to the public and propose frameworks for co-writing. The course is open to anyone who is interested in language as a poetic tool, in literary writing and who would like to work intensively on their own writing. The willingness to write texts at regular intervals, to work together collectively for a limited period of time and to discuss them in a confidential setting is required.
General Information
- Language
- German
- Levels
- DS
- Frequency
- Yearly recurring
Examination
- Type
- graded semester performance
Registration & Places
- Max Places
- 20
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| seminar | Kollektives Schreiben |
|
2 h weekly |
Offered In
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Science in Perspective (In “Science in Perspective”-courses students learn to reflect on ETH’s STEM subjects from the perspective of humanities, political and social sciences. Only the courses listed below will be recognized as "Science in Perspective" courses.)
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Type A: Enhancement of Reflection Competence (SiP courses are recommended for bachelor students after their first-year examination and for all master- or doctoral students. All SiP courses are listed in Type A. Courses listed under Type B are only recommendations for enrollment for specific departments.)
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