Unit Guide

General Information

Unit convenor and teaching staff	Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor Victoria Flanagan victoria.flanagan@mq.edu.au W6A 627 By appointment - please email to arrange Ryan Twomey ryan.twomey@mq.edu.au
Credit points	Credit points 4
Prerequisites	Prerequisites Admission to MRes
Corequisites	Corequisites
Co-badged status	Co-badged status
Unit description	Unit description This unit introduces students to contemporary literary and cultural theories pertinent to reading and analysing texts produced for children. Students will develop their own research projects that address a key analytical aspect of children’s literature. Research topics include social and historical contexts for the production and reception of children's literature; constructions of childhood; semiotics of visual and verbal texts; critical approaches to children's texts; ideology and value; and classics, canons and postmodernity.

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:

Develop a coherent and advanced knowledge of the range and kinds of literature produced or children
Develop and expand the ability to apply literary and cultural concepts to the field of children's literary criticism
Synthesise and analyse information from a variety of sources and be aware of the various ways in which the literature can be understood within perspectives suggested by cultural theories, practices and ideologies
Articulate a clear and coherent argument in written form to a variety of audiences
Think critically and make informed judgements of the arguments of others to arrive and reasoned and meaningful arguments and apply new ideas to new contexts
Demonstrate the ability to apply accumulated knowledge and skills to make decisions in the context of professional practice and scholarship
Demonstrate high standards of ethical conduct in research activities and relationships

Assessment Tasks

Name	Weighting	Hurdle	Due
Task 1	10%	No	weekly
Task 2	40%	No	20/03/2017
Task 3	50%	No	14/06/17

Task 1

Due: weekly
Weighting: 10%

Active participation and contribution to online discussions

On successful completion you will be able to:

Develop a coherent and advanced knowledge of the range and kinds of literature produced or children
Develop and expand the ability to apply literary and cultural concepts to the field of children's literary criticism
Synthesise and analyse information from a variety of sources and be aware of the various ways in which the literature can be understood within perspectives suggested by cultural theories, practices and ideologies
Articulate a clear and coherent argument in written form to a variety of audiences
Think critically and make informed judgements of the arguments of others to arrive and reasoned and meaningful arguments and apply new ideas to new contexts
Demonstrate the ability to apply accumulated knowledge and skills to make decisions in the context of professional practice and scholarship
Demonstrate high standards of ethical conduct in research activities and relationships

Task 2

Due: 20/03/2017
Weighting: 40%

Write a 1500 word research essay on the Session 1 topic: Power and Subjectivity in Children's Literature. You must consult at least 4 additional secondary sources (other than those already listed in the Handbook).

On successful completion you will be able to:

Develop and expand the ability to apply literary and cultural concepts to the field of children's literary criticism
Synthesise and analyse information from a variety of sources and be aware of the various ways in which the literature can be understood within perspectives suggested by cultural theories, practices and ideologies
Articulate a clear and coherent argument in written form to a variety of audiences
Think critically and make informed judgements of the arguments of others to arrive and reasoned and meaningful arguments and apply new ideas to new contexts
Demonstrate the ability to apply accumulated knowledge and skills to make decisions in the context of professional practice and scholarship

Task 3

Due: 14/06/17
Weighting: 50%

One major essay of 2500 words on one of the topics listed in the ENGL 710 Handbook.

On successful completion you will be able to:

Develop a coherent and advanced knowledge of the range and kinds of literature produced or children
Develop and expand the ability to apply literary and cultural concepts to the field of children's literary criticism
Synthesise and analyse information from a variety of sources and be aware of the various ways in which the literature can be understood within perspectives suggested by cultural theories, practices and ideologies
Articulate a clear and coherent argument in written form to a variety of audiences
Think critically and make informed judgements of the arguments of others to arrive and reasoned and meaningful arguments and apply new ideas to new contexts
Demonstrate the ability to apply accumulated knowledge and skills to make decisions in the context of professional practice and scholarship
Demonstrate high standards of ethical conduct in research activities and relationships

Delivery and Resources

The unit is delivered online via the LIT864/ENGL710 ilearn site. Set texts are available from the University Coop Bookshop. Other resources are available from E-Reserve in the Library.

Required Reading

Culler, Jonathan, Literary Theory: A Very Short Introduction
Allan Baillie, A Taste of Cockroach
Neil Gaiman, Coraline
Margo Lanagan, White Time
Philip Reeve, Mortal Engines
Shaun Tan, The Lost Thing
Margaret Wild and Ron Brooks, Fox

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_2016.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 (in effect until Dec 4th, 2017): http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html

Special Consideration Policy (in effect from Dec 4th, 2017): https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policies/special-consideration

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.

Departmental Policies

Extensions and Penalties

If you have a legitimate reason for being unable to submit your work by the due date please contact the unit convenor before the due date. Formal requests for disruption to study need to be made via ask@mq.edu.au (appropriate documentation needs to be provided). A 2% per day penalty may otherwise apply.

Word Length

Word lengths need to be adhered to. Papers which are 10% over or under the required word length may incur a penalty.

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://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.

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.