Students
LIT 848 – Young Adult Fiction
2014 – S2 External
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convenor
Robyn McCallum
Contact via robyn.mccallum@mq.edu.au
Lecturer
Nicole Thompson
W6A 629
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|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
4
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to MA in (English Literature or Children's Literature or Creative Writing) or PGDipArts in Children's Literature
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| Corequisites |
Corequisites
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| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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| Unit description |
Unit description
This unit examines a range of literature written for adolescents and young adults. Issues which will be addressed include: the idea of a literature for young people, concepts of adolescence, representations of subjectivity, sexuality, gender, ideology and forms of social organisation. The unit also examines a range of genres, including fantasy, realism, experimental and historical genres.
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Important Academic Dates
Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- To give students a broad knowledge of the kinds of literature produced for adolescents
- To develop and expand students’ ability to apply concepts such as ideology, gender and subjectivity to adolescent fiction
- To enhance students’ understanding of the various ways in which the literature is oriented by cultural assumptions, practices and ideologies
- To provide students with an effective conceptual and analytic language with which to discuss literature
- To develop and refine students’ skills in textual and critical analysis, especially the ability to recognize and analyse the extent to which texts are implicated in and by cultural formations.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Due |
|---|---|---|
| Seminar Paper | 30% | Week 4 |
| Critical Review | 20% | Week 9 |
| Final Essay | 40% | Week 13 |
| Participation | 10% | weekly |
Seminar Paper
Due: Week 4
Weighting: 30%
Students must submit a seminar paper on either the Week 2 or Week 3 seminar topics:
On successful completion you will be able to:
- To develop and expand students’ ability to apply concepts such as ideology, gender and subjectivity to adolescent fiction
- To enhance students’ understanding of the various ways in which the literature is oriented by cultural assumptions, practices and ideologies
- To provide students with an effective conceptual and analytic language with which to discuss literature
- To develop and refine students’ skills in textual and critical analysis, especially the ability to recognize and analyse the extent to which texts are implicated in and by cultural formations.
Critical Review
Due: Week 9
Weighting: 20%
Students must select 2 of the set novels for this unit and write a critical appraisal of these texts (approximately 1000 words in length).
On successful completion you will be able to:
- To give students a broad knowledge of the kinds of literature produced for adolescents
- To develop and expand students’ ability to apply concepts such as ideology, gender and subjectivity to adolescent fiction
- To enhance students’ understanding of the various ways in which the literature is oriented by cultural assumptions, practices and ideologies
- To provide students with an effective conceptual and analytic language with which to discuss literature
- To develop and refine students’ skills in textual and critical analysis, especially the ability to recognize and analyse the extent to which texts are implicated in and by cultural formations.
Final Essay
Due: Week 13
Weighting: 40%
Please complete ONE essay of 2500-3000 words on one of the topics in the unit handbook.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- To give students a broad knowledge of the kinds of literature produced for adolescents
- To develop and expand students’ ability to apply concepts such as ideology, gender and subjectivity to adolescent fiction
- To enhance students’ understanding of the various ways in which the literature is oriented by cultural assumptions, practices and ideologies
- To provide students with an effective conceptual and analytic language with which to discuss literature
- To develop and refine students’ skills in textual and critical analysis, especially the ability to recognize and analyse the extent to which texts are implicated in and by cultural formations.
Participation
Due: weekly
Weighting: 10%
Attendance and participation in classes
On successful completion you will be able to:
- To give students a broad knowledge of the kinds of literature produced for adolescents
- To develop and expand students’ ability to apply concepts such as ideology, gender and subjectivity to adolescent fiction
- To enhance students’ understanding of the various ways in which the literature is oriented by cultural assumptions, practices and ideologies
- To provide students with an effective conceptual and analytic language with which to discuss literature
- To develop and refine students’ skills in textual and critical analysis, especially the ability to recognize and analyse the extent to which texts are implicated in and by cultural formations.
Delivery and Resources
For internal students there is a two-hour seminar each week. For external students lecture notes will be uploaded each week and discussion questions will be posted each week on the weekly discussion forum.
Resources include: the set texts (available from the bookshop or library) and weekly secondary readings (available through e-reserve).
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html
Assessment Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html
Grading Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html
Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html
Grievance Management Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grievance_management/policy.html
Disruption to Studies Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html The Disruption to Studies Policy is effective from March 3 2014 and replaces the Special Consideration Policy.
In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/
Student Support
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.
Student Services and Support
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
Student Enquiries
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
IT Help
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://informatics.mq.edu.au/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
Graduate Capabilities
PG - Discipline Knowledge and Skills
Our postgraduates will be able to demonstrate a significantly enhanced depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content knowledge in their chosen fields.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- To give students a broad knowledge of the kinds of literature produced for adolescents
- To develop and expand students’ ability to apply concepts such as ideology, gender and subjectivity to adolescent fiction
- To enhance students’ understanding of the various ways in which the literature is oriented by cultural assumptions, practices and ideologies
- To provide students with an effective conceptual and analytic language with which to discuss literature
- To develop and refine students’ skills in textual and critical analysis, especially the ability to recognize and analyse the extent to which texts are implicated in and by cultural formations.
Assessment tasks
- Seminar Paper
- Critical Review
- Final Essay
- Participation
PG - Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking
Our postgraduates will be capable of utilising and reflecting on prior knowledge and experience, of applying higher level critical thinking skills, and of integrating and synthesising learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments. A characteristic of this form of thinking is the generation of new, professionally oriented knowledge through personal or group-based critique of practice and theory.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- To give students a broad knowledge of the kinds of literature produced for adolescents
- To develop and expand students’ ability to apply concepts such as ideology, gender and subjectivity to adolescent fiction
- To enhance students’ understanding of the various ways in which the literature is oriented by cultural assumptions, practices and ideologies
- To provide students with an effective conceptual and analytic language with which to discuss literature
- To develop and refine students’ skills in textual and critical analysis, especially the ability to recognize and analyse the extent to which texts are implicated in and by cultural formations.
Assessment tasks
- Seminar Paper
- Critical Review
- Final Essay
- Participation
PG - Research and Problem Solving Capability
Our postgraduates will be capable of systematic enquiry; able to use research skills to create new knowledge that can be applied to real world issues, or contribute to a field of study or practice to enhance society. They will be capable of creative questioning, problem finding and problem solving.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- To give students a broad knowledge of the kinds of literature produced for adolescents
- To develop and expand students’ ability to apply concepts such as ideology, gender and subjectivity to adolescent fiction
- To provide students with an effective conceptual and analytic language with which to discuss literature
- To develop and refine students’ skills in textual and critical analysis, especially the ability to recognize and analyse the extent to which texts are implicated in and by cultural formations.
Assessment tasks
- Seminar Paper
- Critical Review
- Final Essay
- Participation
PG - Effective Communication
Our postgraduates will be able to communicate effectively and convey their views to different social, cultural, and professional audiences. They will be able to use a variety of technologically supported media to communicate with empathy using a range of written, spoken or visual formats.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- To develop and expand students’ ability to apply concepts such as ideology, gender and subjectivity to adolescent fiction
- To develop and refine students’ skills in textual and critical analysis, especially the ability to recognize and analyse the extent to which texts are implicated in and by cultural formations.
Assessment tasks
- Seminar Paper
- Critical Review
- Final Essay
- Participation
PG - Engaged and Responsible, Active and Ethical Citizens
Our postgraduates will be ethically aware and capable of confident transformative action in relation to their professional responsibilities and the wider community. They will have a sense of connectedness with others and country and have a sense of mutual obligation. They will be able to appreciate the impact of their professional roles for social justice and inclusion related to national and global issues
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- To develop and expand students’ ability to apply concepts such as ideology, gender and subjectivity to adolescent fiction
- To enhance students’ understanding of the various ways in which the literature is oriented by cultural assumptions, practices and ideologies
- To provide students with an effective conceptual and analytic language with which to discuss literature
Assessment tasks
- Seminar Paper
- Critical Review
- Final Essay
- Participation
PG - Capable of Professional and Personal Judgment and Initiative
Our postgraduates will demonstrate a high standard of discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgment. They will have the ability to make informed choices and decisions that reflect both the nature of their professional work and their personal perspectives.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- To enhance students’ understanding of the various ways in which the literature is oriented by cultural assumptions, practices and ideologies
- To provide students with an effective conceptual and analytic language with which to discuss literature
- To develop and refine students’ skills in textual and critical analysis, especially the ability to recognize and analyse the extent to which texts are implicated in and by cultural formations.
Assessment tasks
- Seminar Paper
- Critical Review
- Final Essay
- Participation
Requirements and Expectations
To complete LIT 848 students must: • Attend and participate in seminars (if internal). • Complete all prescribed assessment tasks. • Reach a satisfactory level of achievement in the prescribed assessment tasks. *Absence from more than two seminars without written explanation (medical or counselling certificate) will disqualify a student from passing the unit. University regulations also stipulate that a student must attempt every part of assessment in order to be eligible to pass a unit of study.
Notes on Class Participation for External Students
External students must participate in online discussions via the LIT 848 iLearn site. External students should read the weekly texts and prepare the seminar discussion topics in advance, then post responses to the seminar questions and respond to the postings of other students, to facilitate an active discussion such as would occur in a face-to-face seminar. Students are also encouraged to raise other relevant points of interest in their online discussions. Be prepared to question the opinions of others, to have your opinions challenged and to participate actively in discussion. Students are expected to make at least 6 postings* over the semester. *A “posting” is defined as a discursive response relevant to unit interests of at least 50 words: a short paragraph of at least 4 sentences.