Students
ENGL702 – 20th Century Literature
2015 – S2 Evening
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convenor
Paul Sheehan
Contact via paul.sheehan@mq.edu.au
W6A 622
Mon 1-2; Wed 3-4; or by appointment.
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| Credit points |
Credit points
4
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to MRes
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| Corequisites |
Corequisites
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| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
LIT804
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| Unit description |
Unit description
This unit offers a detailed overview of the key issues and movements that have shaped -- and been shaped by -- the poetry, fiction and non-fiction of the last century. Students will pursue their own research projects that aim to situate literary works in their fullest possible context. They will do this by following developments from the radical formal innovations in the early decades of the century through to the more pensive, ethically responsive texts of the post-war years.
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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:
- Developing analytical and research skills that can be applied to both past and present literary-critical debates
- Building a foundation of research skills to prepare for further study
- Understanding the importance in literary texts of issues pertaining to history, culture, gender, identity, class, ethics and race
- Learning to communicate literary, critical and historical concepts in both oral and written form
- Developing a greater understanding of the profound impact of the past on present critical debates
- Developing a historical understanding of transformations of concepts of ideology, value, and genre that shape certain twentieth-century literary works, and the controversies that accompany these works
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Due |
|---|---|---|
| Minor essay | 30% | Wednesday after presentation |
| Seminar participation | 20% | Weekly |
| Major essay | 50% | Fri 13 November, by midnight |
Minor essay
Due: Wednesday after presentation
Weighting: 30%
Students must deliver an oral presentation on one of the seminar topics, followed by a 1,200-word essay submitted the following Wednesday. Its primary purpose is to show that you have understood what the text is about, can explain its salient characteristics in a coherent way, and are able to mount an engaging and persuasive argument about the work. You are required to have conducted research into the seminar topic and to be able to present it in your own words, explaining what it means to you and to your ways of understanding literary work. Refer closely to the question posed for each weekly reading.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Developing analytical and research skills that can be applied to both past and present literary-critical debates
- Building a foundation of research skills to prepare for further study
- Understanding the importance in literary texts of issues pertaining to history, culture, gender, identity, class, ethics and race
- Learning to communicate literary, critical and historical concepts in both oral and written form
- Developing a greater understanding of the profound impact of the past on present critical debates
- Developing a historical understanding of transformations of concepts of ideology, value, and genre that shape certain twentieth-century literary works, and the controversies that accompany these works
Seminar participation
Due: Weekly
Weighting: 20%
Each week you will be given a question based on the set reading. To prepare for the seminar, you will be expected to write about half a page in response to the question. This will require you to reflect on what you have learnt on the course so far and put it in the context of the reading. Alternatively, you might want to pose some questions about what makes the text difficult or ungraspable. In the course of the seminar you may be called upon to read out your response. As well as contributing to discussion, it provides a storehouse of ideas and reflections to draw on when you approach the major research essay.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Developing analytical and research skills that can be applied to both past and present literary-critical debates
- Building a foundation of research skills to prepare for further study
- Understanding the importance in literary texts of issues pertaining to history, culture, gender, identity, class, ethics and race
- Learning to communicate literary, critical and historical concepts in both oral and written form
- Developing a greater understanding of the profound impact of the past on present critical debates
- Developing a historical understanding of transformations of concepts of ideology, value, and genre that shape certain twentieth-century literary works, and the controversies that accompany these works
Major essay
Due: Fri 13 November, by midnight
Weighting: 50%
Write a 2,500-word research paper on two texts you have studied in the unit.
· You may base your argument around the set text for any given week but must show evidence of having undertaken significant research beyond it.
· You must not write about a subject area you have presented in class.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Developing analytical and research skills that can be applied to both past and present literary-critical debates
- Building a foundation of research skills to prepare for further study
- Understanding the importance in literary texts of issues pertaining to history, culture, gender, identity, class, ethics and race
- Learning to communicate literary, critical and historical concepts in both oral and written form
- Developing a greater understanding of the profound impact of the past on present critical debates
- Developing a historical understanding of transformations of concepts of ideology, value, and genre that shape certain twentieth-century literary works, and the controversies that accompany these works
Delivery and Resources
This unit is offered internally. Its mode of delivery is supported with an iLearn webpage. Powerpoints from the weekly seminars will be posted on the iLearn site. Guided questions to assist you with your weekly readings are provided in the unit handbook, which is uploaded to the iLearn page.
Unit Schedule
| WEEK | TOPIC |
| Week 1 |
Introduction: birth of the modern Emily Dickinson (selected poems; class handout) |
| Week 2 |
The Mythic Turn T. S. Eliot (selected poems; see iLearn) |
| Week 3 |
Mississippi Baroque William Faulkner, The Sound and the Fury |
| Week 4 |
Family Confinement Katherine Mansfield (selected stories; see iLearn) |
| Week 5 |
Wartime noir Elizabeth Bown, The Heat of the Day |
| Week 6 |
Harlequin of Language Wallace Stevens (selected poems; see iLearn) |
| Week 7 |
Nothing to Express Samuel Beckett, Molloy |
| MID-SEMESTER BREAK | |
| Week 8 |
Blues from Underground Ralph Ellison, Invisible Man |
| Week 9 |
American Book of the Dead Don DeLillo, White Noise |
| Week 10 |
Western Malice Cormac McCarthy, Blood Meridian |
| Week 11 |
Otherness unlimited J. M. Coetzee, Foe |
| Week 12 |
The Wreckage of History W. G. Sebald, The Rings of Saturn |
| Week 13 | Essay workshop |
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/
Results
Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au.
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 - 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
- Understanding the importance in literary texts of issues pertaining to history, culture, gender, identity, class, ethics and race
- Developing a historical understanding of transformations of concepts of ideology, value, and genre that shape certain twentieth-century literary works, and the controversies that accompany these works
Assessment task
- Major essay
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
- Developing analytical and research skills that can be applied to both past and present literary-critical debates
- Building a foundation of research skills to prepare for further study
- Learning to communicate literary, critical and historical concepts in both oral and written form
- Developing a greater understanding of the profound impact of the past on present critical debates
- Developing a historical understanding of transformations of concepts of ideology, value, and genre that shape certain twentieth-century literary works, and the controversies that accompany these works
Assessment tasks
- Minor essay
- Seminar participation
- Major essay
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
- Developing analytical and research skills that can be applied to both past and present literary-critical debates
- Building a foundation of research skills to prepare for further study
- Learning to communicate literary, critical and historical concepts in both oral and written form
- Developing a greater understanding of the profound impact of the past on present critical debates
- Developing a historical understanding of transformations of concepts of ideology, value, and genre that shape certain twentieth-century literary works, and the controversies that accompany these works
Assessment tasks
- Minor essay
- Seminar participation
- Major essay
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
- Developing analytical and research skills that can be applied to both past and present literary-critical debates
- Building a foundation of research skills to prepare for further study
- Learning to communicate literary, critical and historical concepts in both oral and written form
- Developing a greater understanding of the profound impact of the past on present critical debates
- Developing a historical understanding of transformations of concepts of ideology, value, and genre that shape certain twentieth-century literary works, and the controversies that accompany these works
Assessment tasks
- Minor essay
- Major essay
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
- Developing analytical and research skills that can be applied to both past and present literary-critical debates
- Building a foundation of research skills to prepare for further study
- Understanding the importance in literary texts of issues pertaining to history, culture, gender, identity, class, ethics and race
- Learning to communicate literary, critical and historical concepts in both oral and written form
- Developing a greater understanding of the profound impact of the past on present critical debates
- Developing a historical understanding of transformations of concepts of ideology, value, and genre that shape certain twentieth-century literary works, and the controversies that accompany these works
Assessment tasks
- Minor essay
- Seminar participation
- Major essay
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
- Understanding the importance in literary texts of issues pertaining to history, culture, gender, identity, class, ethics and race
- Developing a historical understanding of transformations of concepts of ideology, value, and genre that shape certain twentieth-century literary works, and the controversies that accompany these works