Students

ENGX120 – Approaches to English Literature

2018 – S1 OUA

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Convenor, Lecturer
Ryan Twomey
Dept of English, Second floor North, Australian Hearing Hub
Gai Ramesh
Geoffrey Payne
Ryan Twomey
Geoffrey Payne
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
This unit develops skills at university level in critical reading, textual analysis and writing about literary texts. It equips students with a range of key terms, concepts and practices for further studies in English literature or for any text-based discipline. Short literary texts and weekly critical studies provide focal points for developing detailed and informed ways of interpreting different kinds of narratives. Readings and online discussions treat themes such as identity and memory, and explore narrative concepts such as genre, characterisation and representing the imaginary in literary texts. All enrolment queries should be directed to Open Universities Australia (OUA): see www.open.edu.au

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.open.edu.au/student-admin-and-support/key-dates/

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • Demonstrated critical reading habits, interpretive analysis, research, and effective communication, with particular application to the field of English studies
  • Understanding and ability to describe sites of meaning in various narrative modes
  • Ability to apply understanding of narrative techniques to literary study and beyond to other situations
  • Ability to engage in informed critical discussion on unit content with peers and teachers, entertain others' points of view, and to argue a critical position

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Participation 20% No Ongoing
Assignment 1 5% No Week 3
Assignment 2 10% No Week 6
Research Essay 25% No Week 10
End-of-Unit Quiz 40% No Week 13

Participation

Due: Ongoing
Weighting: 20%

Participation in weekly discussion forums of set texts and concepts.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrated critical reading habits, interpretive analysis, research, and effective communication, with particular application to the field of English studies
  • Understanding and ability to describe sites of meaning in various narrative modes
  • Ability to apply understanding of narrative techniques to literary study and beyond to other situations
  • Ability to engage in informed critical discussion on unit content with peers and teachers, entertain others' points of view, and to argue a critical position

Assignment 1

Due: Week 3
Weighting: 5%

Textual Analysis Exercise - 300 words


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrated critical reading habits, interpretive analysis, research, and effective communication, with particular application to the field of English studies
  • Understanding and ability to describe sites of meaning in various narrative modes
  • Ability to apply understanding of narrative techniques to literary study and beyond to other situations
  • Ability to engage in informed critical discussion on unit content with peers and teachers, entertain others' points of view, and to argue a critical position

Assignment 2

Due: Week 6
Weighting: 10%

Textual Analysis and Critical Citation Exercise - 500 words.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrated critical reading habits, interpretive analysis, research, and effective communication, with particular application to the field of English studies
  • Understanding and ability to describe sites of meaning in various narrative modes
  • Ability to apply understanding of narrative techniques to literary study and beyond to other situations
  • Ability to engage in informed critical discussion on unit content with peers and teachers, entertain others' points of view, and to argue a critical position

Research Essay

Due: Week 10
Weighting: 25%

Research Essay of 1500 words. See the ENGX120 iLearn site for additional information.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrated critical reading habits, interpretive analysis, research, and effective communication, with particular application to the field of English studies
  • Understanding and ability to describe sites of meaning in various narrative modes
  • Ability to apply understanding of narrative techniques to literary study and beyond to other situations
  • Ability to engage in informed critical discussion on unit content with peers and teachers, entertain others' points of view, and to argue a critical position

End-of-Unit Quiz

Due: Week 13
Weighting: 40%

End-of-Unit Quiz. 2 hours. A non-invigilated quiz testing knowledge of the unit content. Further details about the quiz are provided on the ENGX120 iLearn site and in lectures.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrated critical reading habits, interpretive analysis, research, and effective communication, with particular application to the field of English studies
  • Understanding and ability to describe sites of meaning in various narrative modes
  • Ability to apply understanding of narrative techniques to literary study and beyond to other situations
  • Ability to engage in informed critical discussion on unit content with peers and teachers, entertain others' points of view, and to argue a critical position

Delivery and Resources

Unit Requirements and Expectations

It is expected that students will listen to two audio lectures each week, read set primary texts, participate thoroughly in online discussion (making at least 2 informed and engaged discussion forum posts) and submit all items of assessment (two assignments, a research essay and, in week 13, the end-of-unit quiz).

Unit Webpage and 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 contact teaching staff for any further, more specific requirements. Consult the OUA website for more detailed information on technology requires: https://www.open.edu.au/getting-started/studying-through-oua/computer-requirements.

Required Reading

1. Andrew Bennett and Nicholas Royle, This Thing Called Literature (London: Routledge, 2015)

2. William Shakespeare, Macbeth. All students are urged to acquire/use the recommended Norton Critical Edition, ed. Robert S. Miola. 2nd edition. New York and London, 2014, which contains useful additional resources. The first edition will serve just as well if that is more readily available. If you cannot access the Norton Critical edition, please ensure that you use a reputable scholarly edition of the text.

3. David Malouf, Ransom (Sydney: Knopf, 2009).

All other weekly readings have been digitised and are available to download from Macquarie University library's eReserve. Links for all reading can be accessed from the ENGX120 iLearn site.

 

Recommended Reading

H. Porter Abbott, The Cambridge Introduction to Narrative, 2ed. (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2008).

A list of additional suggestions for critical readings can be found in the Topic 14: Essential Course Resources area of the unit's iLearn site.

Policies and Procedures

Late Submission - applies unless otherwise stated elsewhere in the unit guide

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, (a) a penalty for lateness will apply – two (2) marks out of 100 will be deducted per day for assignments submitted after the due date – and (b) no assignment will be accepted more than seven (7) days (incl. weekends) after the original submission deadline. No late submissions will be accepted for timed assessments – e.g. quizzes, online tests.

Extension Request

Special Consideration Policy and Procedure (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policies/special-consideration)

The University recognises that students may experience events or conditions that adversely affect their academic performance. If you experience serious and unavoidable difficulties at exam time or when assessment tasks are due, you can consider applying for Special Consideration.

You need to show that the circumstances:

  1. were serious, unexpected and unavoidable
  2. were beyond your control
  3. caused substantial disruption to your academic work
  4. substantially interfered with your otherwise satisfactory fulfilment of the unit requirements
  5. lasted at least three consecutive days or a total of 5 days within the teaching period and prevented completion of an assessment task scheduled for a specific date.

If you feel that your studies have been impacted submit an application as follows:

  1. Visit Ask MQ and use your OneID to log in
  2. Fill in your relevant details
  3. Attach supporting documents by clicking 'Add a reply', click 'Browse' and navigating to the files you want to attach, then click 'Submit Form' to send your notification and supporting documents
  4. Please keep copies of your original documents, as they may be requested in the future as part of the assessment process

Outcome

Once your submission is assessed, an appropriate outcome will be organised.

OUA Specific Policies and Procedures

Withdrawal from a unit after the census date

You can withdraw from your subjects prior to the census date (last day to withdraw). If you successfully withdraw before the census date, you won’t need to apply for Special Circumstances. If you find yourself unable to withdraw from your subjects before the census date - you might be able to apply for Special Circumstances. If you’re eligible, we can refund your fees and overturn your fail grade.

If you’re studying Single Subjects using FEE-HELP or paying up front, you can apply online.

If you’re studying a degree using HECS-HELP, you’ll need to apply directly to Macquarie University.

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Undergraduate students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/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/study/getting-started/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://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

Creative and Innovative

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:

Learning outcomes

  • Demonstrated critical reading habits, interpretive analysis, research, and effective communication, with particular application to the field of English studies
  • Understanding and ability to describe sites of meaning in various narrative modes
  • Ability to apply understanding of narrative techniques to literary study and beyond to other situations
  • Ability to engage in informed critical discussion on unit content with peers and teachers, entertain others' points of view, and to argue a critical position

Assessment tasks

  • Participation
  • Assignment 1
  • Assignment 2
  • Research Essay
  • End-of-Unit Quiz

Capable of Professional and Personal Judgement and Initiative

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:

Learning outcomes

  • Ability to apply understanding of narrative techniques to literary study and beyond to other situations
  • Ability to engage in informed critical discussion on unit content with peers and teachers, entertain others' points of view, and to argue a critical position

Assessment tasks

  • Participation
  • Assignment 1
  • Assignment 2
  • Research Essay
  • End-of-Unit Quiz

Commitment to Continuous Learning

Our graduates will have enquiring minds and a literate curiosity which will lead them to pursue knowledge for its own sake. They will continue to pursue learning in their careers and as they participate in the world. They will be capable of reflecting on their experiences and relationships with others and the environment, learning from them, and growing - personally, professionally and socially.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Ability to apply understanding of narrative techniques to literary study and beyond to other situations
  • Ability to engage in informed critical discussion on unit content with peers and teachers, entertain others' points of view, and to argue a critical position

Assessment tasks

  • Participation
  • Assignment 1
  • Assignment 2
  • Research Essay
  • End-of-Unit Quiz

Discipline Specific Knowledge and Skills

Our graduates will take with them the intellectual development, depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content in their chosen fields to make them competent and confident in their subject or profession. They will be able to demonstrate, where relevant, professional technical competence and meet professional standards. They will be able to articulate the structure of knowledge of their discipline, be able to adapt discipline-specific knowledge to novel situations, and be able to contribute from their discipline to inter-disciplinary solutions to problems.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Demonstrated critical reading habits, interpretive analysis, research, and effective communication, with particular application to the field of English studies
  • Understanding and ability to describe sites of meaning in various narrative modes
  • Ability to apply understanding of narrative techniques to literary study and beyond to other situations
  • Ability to engage in informed critical discussion on unit content with peers and teachers, entertain others' points of view, and to argue a critical position

Assessment tasks

  • Participation
  • Assignment 1
  • Assignment 2
  • Research Essay
  • End-of-Unit Quiz

Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

We want our graduates to be capable of reasoning, questioning and analysing, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments; to be able to critique constraints, assumptions and limitations; to be able to think independently and systemically in relation to scholarly activity, in the workplace, and in the world. We want them to have a level of scientific and information technology literacy.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Demonstrated critical reading habits, interpretive analysis, research, and effective communication, with particular application to the field of English studies
  • Understanding and ability to describe sites of meaning in various narrative modes
  • Ability to apply understanding of narrative techniques to literary study and beyond to other situations
  • Ability to engage in informed critical discussion on unit content with peers and teachers, entertain others' points of view, and to argue a critical position

Assessment tasks

  • Participation
  • Assignment 1
  • Assignment 2
  • Research Essay
  • End-of-Unit Quiz

Problem Solving and Research Capability

Our graduates should be capable of researching; of analysing, and interpreting and assessing data and information in various forms; of drawing connections across fields of knowledge; and they should be able to relate their knowledge to complex situations at work or in the world, in order to diagnose and solve problems. We want them to have the confidence to take the initiative in doing so, within an awareness of their own limitations.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Demonstrated critical reading habits, interpretive analysis, research, and effective communication, with particular application to the field of English studies
  • Understanding and ability to describe sites of meaning in various narrative modes
  • Ability to apply understanding of narrative techniques to literary study and beyond to other situations
  • Ability to engage in informed critical discussion on unit content with peers and teachers, entertain others' points of view, and to argue a critical position

Assessment tasks

  • Participation
  • Assignment 1
  • Assignment 2
  • Research Essay
  • End-of-Unit Quiz

Effective Communication

We want to develop in our students the ability to communicate and convey their views in forms effective with different audiences. We want our graduates to take with them the capability to read, listen, question, gather and evaluate information resources in a variety of formats, assess, write clearly, speak effectively, and to use visual communication and communication technologies as appropriate.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Demonstrated critical reading habits, interpretive analysis, research, and effective communication, with particular application to the field of English studies
  • Understanding and ability to describe sites of meaning in various narrative modes
  • Ability to apply understanding of narrative techniques to literary study and beyond to other situations
  • Ability to engage in informed critical discussion on unit content with peers and teachers, entertain others' points of view, and to argue a critical position

Assessment tasks

  • Participation
  • Assignment 1
  • Assignment 2
  • Research Essay
  • End-of-Unit Quiz

Engaged and Ethical Local and Global citizens

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:

Learning outcomes

  • Ability to apply understanding of narrative techniques to literary study and beyond to other situations
  • Ability to engage in informed critical discussion on unit content with peers and teachers, entertain others' points of view, and to argue a critical position

Assessment tasks

  • Participation
  • Assignment 1
  • Assignment 2
  • Research Essay
  • End-of-Unit Quiz

Socially and Environmentally Active and Responsible

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:

Learning outcomes

  • Ability to apply understanding of narrative techniques to literary study and beyond to other situations
  • Ability to engage in informed critical discussion on unit content with peers and teachers, entertain others' points of view, and to argue a critical position

Assessment tasks

  • Participation
  • Assignment 1
  • Assignment 2
  • Research Essay
  • End-of-Unit Quiz