Students
LIT 848 – Young Adult Fiction
2015 – S2 Evening
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Victoria Flanagan
Antonina Harbus
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|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
4
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to MChildLit or MCrWrit or GradDipChildLit or GradDipCrWrit or 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:
- A broad knowledge of the kinds of literature produced for adolescents.
- The ability to apply concepts such as ideology, gender and subjectivity to adolescent fiction.
- An understanding of the various ways in which YA literature is oriented by cultural assumptions, practices and ideologies.
- The ability to use an effective conceptual and analytic language with which to discuss the genre of YA fiction.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Due |
|---|---|---|
| Participation | 10% | Weeks 1-12 |
| Early Feedback Critical Review | 30% | 24/08/2015 |
| Essay Plan | 10% | 01/10/2015 |
| Major Essay | 50% | 13/11/2015 |
Participation
Due: Weeks 1-12
Weighting: 10%
A threshold requirement for participation marks is attendance and involvement in all the seminars. Students must prepare for classes by reading and reflecting on the unit readings and will be called upon to contribute to group discussions within the classroom.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- A broad knowledge of the kinds of literature produced for adolescents.
- The ability to apply concepts such as ideology, gender and subjectivity to adolescent fiction.
- An understanding of the various ways in which YA literature is oriented by cultural assumptions, practices and ideologies.
- The ability to use an effective conceptual and analytic language with which to discuss the genre of YA fiction.
Early Feedback Critical Review
Due: 24/08/2015
Weighting: 30%
Students must select 2 of the set novels for this unit and write a critical appraisal of these texts.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- The ability to apply concepts such as ideology, gender and subjectivity to adolescent fiction.
- An understanding of the various ways in which YA literature is oriented by cultural assumptions, practices and ideologies.
- The ability to use an effective conceptual and analytic language with which to discuss the genre of YA fiction.
Essay Plan
Due: 01/10/2015
Weighting: 10%
Students must select one of the Final Essay topics and submit a brief plan that outlines how they will approach this topic, which secondary sources they will use for constructing a theoretical frame, and how they will apply this frame to their primary texts.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- A broad knowledge of the kinds of literature produced for adolescents.
- The ability to apply concepts such as ideology, gender and subjectivity to adolescent fiction.
- An understanding of the various ways in which YA literature is oriented by cultural assumptions, practices and ideologies.
- The ability to use an effective conceptual and analytic language with which to discuss the genre of YA fiction.
Major Essay
Due: 13/11/2015
Weighting: 50%
Please write a final essay on the topic selected in your essay plan (submitted on October 1). Refer to at least two novels from the set text list.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- A broad knowledge of the kinds of literature produced for adolescents.
- The ability to apply concepts such as ideology, gender and subjectivity to adolescent fiction.
- An understanding of the various ways in which YA literature is oriented by cultural assumptions, practices and ideologies.
- The ability to use an effective conceptual and analytic language with which to discuss the genre of YA fiction.
Delivery and Resources
Weekly Seminars will involve discussion of the primary and secondary readings. Attendance at all seminars is mandatory (please see ‘Participation’ under the heading Assessment).
Mini Lectures will be provided on the LIT 848 iLearn site (although they not scheduled for each weekly topic). These lectures will not function as comprehensive summaries of the readings, nor should students anticipate that these lectures offer definitive ‘answers’ to many of the big questions we will look at this semester. The lectures are designed to contextualise the readings, suggest multiple approaches to their interpretation, and direct attention to specific aspects of the readings or issues for discussion. In some cases, the lectures will survey an issue or theme and propose working definitions of key terms (definitions which you are encouraged to adapt, elaborate on and contend with).
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 outcome
- An understanding of the various ways in which YA literature is oriented by cultural assumptions, practices and ideologies.
Assessment tasks
- Participation
- Essay Plan
- 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
- A broad knowledge of the kinds of literature produced for adolescents.
- The ability to apply concepts such as ideology, gender and subjectivity to adolescent fiction.
- An understanding of the various ways in which YA literature is oriented by cultural assumptions, practices and ideologies.
- The ability to use an effective conceptual and analytic language with which to discuss the genre of YA fiction.
Assessment tasks
- Participation
- Early Feedback Critical Review
- Essay Plan
- 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
- The ability to apply concepts such as ideology, gender and subjectivity to adolescent fiction.
- An understanding of the various ways in which YA literature is oriented by cultural assumptions, practices and ideologies.
- The ability to use an effective conceptual and analytic language with which to discuss the genre of YA fiction.
Assessment tasks
- Participation
- Early Feedback Critical Review
- Essay Plan
- 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 outcome
- The ability to use an effective conceptual and analytic language with which to discuss the genre of YA fiction.
Assessment tasks
- Participation
- Early Feedback Critical Review
- Essay Plan
- 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
- The ability to apply concepts such as ideology, gender and subjectivity to adolescent fiction.
- An understanding of the various ways in which YA literature is oriented by cultural assumptions, practices and ideologies.
- The ability to use an effective conceptual and analytic language with which to discuss the genre of YA fiction.
Assessment tasks
- Participation
- Early Feedback Critical Review
- Essay Plan
- 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:
Assessment tasks
- Participation
- Major Essay