Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convenor
Dr Sarah-Jane Burton
Contact via (02) 98508125
W6A 634
By appointment.
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Credit points |
Credit points
3
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Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
6cp ENGL units at 200 level
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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 examples of American literature produced during the middle of the twentieth century, focusing on texts which embody the key social and historical developments of the period including notions of consumerism, the domestic ideal, suburban expansion and racial and gender tensions. Students will consider texts by prominent American writers of the period including Richard Yates, Mary McCarthy, Ralph Ellison, Sylvia Plath, Frank O’Hara and Jack Kerouac, and will ask questions about the engagement of these texts with their unique mid century context. Particular attention will be paid to the ways in which these texts shaped the literary forms of their era and contributed to the cultural upheaval of their time, conforming to and subverting ideas about family, country, gender and every day life.
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Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
Name | Weighting | Due |
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Participation | 20% | Each week of session |
Tutorial Presentation & Essay | 30% | Weeks 3 - 10 |
Final Essay | 40% | 11.59pm 13th November |
Essay Plan | 10% | 11.59pm 6th November |
Due: Each week of session
Weighting: 20%
Attendance, preparation and participation in tutorials.
Due: Weeks 3 - 10
Weighting: 30%
Prepare a ten minute in class presentation on an assigned text/topic, followed the week after by the submission of a 1500 word essay which summarizes your argument and class discussion.
Due: 11.59pm 13th November
Weighting: 40%
2000-word essay on topic supplied, or negotiated with convenor.
Due: 11.59pm 6th November
Weighting: 10%
Prepare a 1- 2 page essay plan for the final essay based on the essay writing lecture and class workshop in week 12.
The set texts for this unit as as follows:
Sloan Wilson, The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit (Newsouth)
Jack Kerouac, On the Road (Penguin)
Robert Lowell, Life Studies (Faber)
E.L. Doctorow, The Book of Daniel (Abacus)
Allen Ginsberg, Howl and Other Poems (City Lights)
Sylvia Plath, The Bell Jar (Faber)
Richard Yates, Revolutionary Road (Vintage)
Additional texts and supplementary material will be available via the iLearn site.
See details on iLearn.
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
New Assessment Policy in effect from Session 2 2016 http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy_2016.html. For more information visit http://students.mq.edu.au/events/2016/07/19/new_assessment_policy_in_place_from_session_2/
Assessment Policy prior to Session 2 2016 http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html
Grading Policy prior to Session 2 2016 http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html
Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html
Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/complaint_management/procedure.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.
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/
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.
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
Our graduates will also be capable of creative thinking and of creating knowledge. They will be imaginative and open to experience and capable of innovation at work and in the community. We want them to be engaged in applying their critical, creative thinking.
This graduate capability is supported by:
We want our graduates to have emotional intelligence and sound interpersonal skills and to demonstrate discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgement. They will exercise initiative as needed. They will be capable of risk assessment, and be able to handle ambiguity and complexity, enabling them to be adaptable in diverse and changing environments.
This graduate capability is supported by:
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This graduate capability is supported by:
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This graduate capability is supported by:
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This graduate capability is supported by:
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This graduate capability is supported by:
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This graduate capability is supported by:
As local citizens our graduates will be aware of indigenous perspectives and of the nation's historical context. They will be engaged with the challenges of contemporary society and with knowledge and ideas. We want our graduates to have respect for diversity, to be open-minded, sensitive to others and inclusive, and to be open to other cultures and perspectives: they should have a level of cultural literacy. Our graduates should be aware of disadvantage and social justice, and be willing to participate to help create a wiser and better society.
This graduate capability is supported by:
We want our graduates to be aware of and have respect for self and others; to be able to work with others as a leader and a team player; to have a sense of connectedness with others and country; and to have a sense of mutual obligation. Our graduates should be informed and active participants in moving society towards sustainability.
This graduate capability is supported by: