Unit Guide

General Information

Unit convenor and teaching staff	Unit convenor and teaching staff
Credit points	Credit points 4
Prerequisites	Prerequisites Admission to MA in (English Literature or Children's Literature or Creative Writing) or PGDipResPrep(Arts)
Corequisites	Corequisites
Co-badged status	Co-badged status
Unit description	Unit description The nineteenth century was a period of rapid urbanisation, industrialisation and imperial expansion that redefined concepts of gender, class, the nature of work and the domestic. Writers responded with energy and passion to social and political change, creating in the process increasingly diverse literary forms. The kinds of literary writing that emerged radically redefined the cultural and public sphere. This was also the age of emerging mass readerships and literary celebrities. Taking a selection of literary texts as a starting point, this unit explores nineteenth-century literary culture as dynamic, diverse and self-consciously modern.

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 engage critically with a range of nineteenth-century literary texts
To develop analytical and research skills that can be applied to past and present cultural and literary debates
To learn to communicate historical and theoretical concepts in verbal and written forms
To develop a deeper understanding of the profound impact on contemporary culture of late eighteenth- and nineteenth-century cultural forms
To gain a greater understanding of the historical and often hierarchical deployment of concepts of nature and culture, violence and the criminal, progress, reason and superstition, the imagination, literary and aesthetic value
To develop the ability to engage in informed critical discussion on unit content with peers and tutor, to respond to otherʼs point so view, and to argue a critical position

Assessment Tasks

Name	Weighting	Due
Critical Essay	35%	16 April
Research Essay	40%	16 June
Seminar Participation	10%	Each Week
Seminar Presentation & Report	15%	Various

Critical Essay

Due: 16 April
Weighting: 35%

Critical Essay, 2000 words. For topics and submission information see Unit's iLearn site.

On successful completion you will be able to:

To engage critically with a range of nineteenth-century literary texts
To develop analytical and research skills that can be applied to past and present cultural and literary debates
To learn to communicate historical and theoretical concepts in verbal and written forms
To develop a deeper understanding of the profound impact on contemporary culture of late eighteenth- and nineteenth-century cultural forms
To gain a greater understanding of the historical and often hierarchical deployment of concepts of nature and culture, violence and the criminal, progress, reason and superstition, the imagination, literary and aesthetic value
To develop the ability to engage in informed critical discussion on unit content with peers and tutor, to respond to otherʼs point so view, and to argue a critical position

Research Essay

Due: 16 June
Weighting: 40%

Research Essay, 3000 words. For topics and submission information please see Unit's iLearn site.

On successful completion you will be able to:

To engage critically with a range of nineteenth-century literary texts
To develop analytical and research skills that can be applied to past and present cultural and literary debates
To learn to communicate historical and theoretical concepts in verbal and written forms
To develop a deeper understanding of the profound impact on contemporary culture of late eighteenth- and nineteenth-century cultural forms
To gain a greater understanding of the historical and often hierarchical deployment of concepts of nature and culture, violence and the criminal, progress, reason and superstition, the imagination, literary and aesthetic value
To develop the ability to engage in informed critical discussion on unit content with peers and tutor, to respond to otherʼs point so view, and to argue a critical position

Seminar Participation

Due: Each Week
Weighting: 10%

Seminar attendance and active participation in class discussion.

On successful completion you will be able to:

To engage critically with a range of nineteenth-century literary texts
To develop analytical and research skills that can be applied to past and present cultural and literary debates
To learn to communicate historical and theoretical concepts in verbal and written forms
To develop a deeper understanding of the profound impact on contemporary culture of late eighteenth- and nineteenth-century cultural forms
To gain a greater understanding of the historical and often hierarchical deployment of concepts of nature and culture, violence and the criminal, progress, reason and superstition, the imagination, literary and aesthetic value
To develop the ability to engage in informed critical discussion on unit content with peers and tutor, to respond to otherʼs point so view, and to argue a critical position

Seminar Presentation & Report

Due: Various
Weighting: 15%

A short presentation based on ONE of the focus questions in the week of your chosen text A 750w written version of the presentation to be submitted through Turnitin (see unit's iLearn site for details).

On successful completion you will be able to:

To engage critically with a range of nineteenth-century literary texts
To develop analytical and research skills that can be applied to past and present cultural and literary debates
To learn to communicate historical and theoretical concepts in verbal and written forms
To develop a deeper understanding of the profound impact on contemporary culture of late eighteenth- and nineteenth-century cultural forms
To gain a greater understanding of the historical and often hierarchical deployment of concepts of nature and culture, violence and the criminal, progress, reason and superstition, the imagination, literary and aesthetic value
To develop the ability to engage in informed critical discussion on unit content with peers and tutor, to respond to otherʼs point so view, and to argue a critical position

Delivery and Resources

Classes

Students attend one 2 hour seminar per week.

For seminar times and seminar rooms please consult the MQ Timetable website: http://www.timetables.mq.edu.au. This website will display up-to-date information on your classes and room locations.

Required and Recommended Texts and/or Materials

REQUIRED READING (in order of study)

1. Jane Austen Emma

2. Anne Brontë The Tenant of Wildfell Hall

3. Elizabeth Gaskell North and South

4. Charles Dickens Bleak House

5. George Eliot Daniel Deronda

6. Arthur Morrison A Child of the Jago

Poetry will be available on the unit's iLearn site

Technology Used and Required

Online units can be accessed at: http://ilearn.mq.edu.au/.

PC and Internet access are required. Basic computer skills (e.g., internet browsing) and skills in word processing are also a requirement.

Please consult teaching staff for any further, more specific requirements.

Unit Schedule

See Unit's iLearn site

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 engage critically with a range of nineteenth-century literary texts
To develop analytical and research skills that can be applied to past and present cultural and literary debates
To learn to communicate historical and theoretical concepts in verbal and written forms
To develop a deeper understanding of the profound impact on contemporary culture of late eighteenth- and nineteenth-century cultural forms
To gain a greater understanding of the historical and often hierarchical deployment of concepts of nature and culture, violence and the criminal, progress, reason and superstition, the imagination, literary and aesthetic value
To develop the ability to engage in informed critical discussion on unit content with peers and tutor, to respond to otherʼs point so view, and to argue a critical position

Assessment tasks

Critical Essay
Research Essay
Seminar Participation
Seminar Presentation & Report

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 develop analytical and research skills that can be applied to past and present cultural and literary debates
To learn to communicate historical and theoretical concepts in verbal and written forms
To gain a greater understanding of the historical and often hierarchical deployment of concepts of nature and culture, violence and the criminal, progress, reason and superstition, the imagination, literary and aesthetic value

Assessment tasks

Critical Essay
Research Essay
Seminar Presentation & Report

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 engage critically with a range of nineteenth-century literary texts
To develop analytical and research skills that can be applied to past and present cultural and literary debates
To learn to communicate historical and theoretical concepts in verbal and written forms
To develop a deeper understanding of the profound impact on contemporary culture of late eighteenth- and nineteenth-century cultural forms
To gain a greater understanding of the historical and often hierarchical deployment of concepts of nature and culture, violence and the criminal, progress, reason and superstition, the imagination, literary and aesthetic value
To develop the ability to engage in informed critical discussion on unit content with peers and tutor, to respond to otherʼs point so view, and to argue a critical position

Assessment tasks

Critical Essay
Research Essay
Seminar Presentation & Report

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 learn to communicate historical and theoretical concepts in verbal and written forms
To develop the ability to engage in informed critical discussion on unit content with peers and tutor, to respond to otherʼs point so view, and to argue a critical position

Assessment tasks

Critical Essay
Research Essay
Seminar Participation
Seminar Presentation & Report

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 analytical and research skills that can be applied to past and present cultural and literary debates
To learn to communicate historical and theoretical concepts in verbal and written forms
To develop a deeper understanding of the profound impact on contemporary culture of late eighteenth- and nineteenth-century cultural forms
To gain a greater understanding of the historical and often hierarchical deployment of concepts of nature and culture, violence and the criminal, progress, reason and superstition, the imagination, literary and aesthetic value
To develop the ability to engage in informed critical discussion on unit content with peers and tutor, to respond to otherʼs point so view, and to argue a critical position

Assessment tasks

Critical Essay
Research Essay

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 learn to communicate historical and theoretical concepts in verbal and written forms
To gain a greater understanding of the historical and often hierarchical deployment of concepts of nature and culture, violence and the criminal, progress, reason and superstition, the imagination, literary and aesthetic value
To develop the ability to engage in informed critical discussion on unit content with peers and tutor, to respond to otherʼs point so view, and to argue a critical position

Assessment tasks

Critical Essay
Research Essay
Seminar Presentation & Report

Requirements and Expectations

Students are required to attend a two-hour seminar each week of teaching term and submit written assignments and give a seminar presentation as indicated in this Unit Guide. Participation will be assessed on the basis of active and pertinent contribution to the seminars throughout the semester. For more information please see Unit's iLearn site.

Changes since First Published

Date	Description
19/02/2014	The Description was updated.