Students

ENGL305 – Modernism

2019 – S2 Day

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
By appointment
Tutor
James Mackenzie
Contact via Email
N/A
By appointment
Credit points Credit points
3
Prerequisites Prerequisites
6cp in ENGL units at 200 level
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
This unit examines the upheavals that took place in literature and culture between 1900 and 1940. Issues discussed include: imperialism and colonialism; the death of God; the cataclysm of the First World War; the crisis in representation and revolution of the word; changing gender relations; the nightmare of history; and the propagation of myth. These are examined through the manifestos of the major aesthetic movements (Impressionism, Imagism, Vorticism) and related themes (impersonality, anti-self). Texts studied include: works from novelists and poets (Conrad, Yeats, Eliot, Pound, Joyce and Woolf); philosophers (Nietzsche and Freud); visual artists (Lewis); and filmmakers (Bergman and Haneke).

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:

  • Demonstrated critical and analytical reading strategies, interpretive analysis, scholarly research, and effective communication, with particular application to the field of modernist studies in English.
  • Ability to identify, evaluate and apply principles of modernism to different literary modes, narrative and non-narrative.
  • Display creative thinking and construct cohesive arguments, with specific application to modernist literary studies.
  • Consider how historical and theoretical propositions of modernism have shaped the reception and reproduction of 20th-century art more broadly.
  • Demonstrate effective time management, work organisation and application of literary-modernist principles to narrative contexts and beyond.
  • Ability to engage in informed critical discussion on unit content with peers and teachers, consider and assess others’ points of view, and to argue a critical position.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Tutorial participation 20% No Weekly
Short essay 30% No Sunday 1 September
Major research paper 50% No Wednesday 13 September

Tutorial participation

Due: Weekly
Weighting: 20%

Tutorial attendance is necessary. Missing more than two tutorials without a medical certificate or other kind of documentation may result in failure of the unit.

Participation means showing evidence of preparation and making relevant contributions to discussions.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrated critical and analytical reading strategies, interpretive analysis, scholarly research, and effective communication, with particular application to the field of modernist studies in English.
  • Ability to identify, evaluate and apply principles of modernism to different literary modes, narrative and non-narrative.
  • Display creative thinking and construct cohesive arguments, with specific application to modernist literary studies.
  • Consider how historical and theoretical propositions of modernism have shaped the reception and reproduction of 20th-century art more broadly.
  • Demonstrate effective time management, work organisation and application of literary-modernist principles to narrative contexts and beyond.
  • Ability to engage in informed critical discussion on unit content with peers and teachers, consider and assess others’ points of view, and to argue a critical position.

Short essay

Due: Sunday 1 September
Weighting: 30%

Short essay of 1,200 words, answering the question “What is modernism?” with reference to at least two of the readings from weeks 2-5.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrated critical and analytical reading strategies, interpretive analysis, scholarly research, and effective communication, with particular application to the field of modernist studies in English.
  • Ability to identify, evaluate and apply principles of modernism to different literary modes, narrative and non-narrative.
  • Display creative thinking and construct cohesive arguments, with specific application to modernist literary studies.
  • Consider how historical and theoretical propositions of modernism have shaped the reception and reproduction of 20th-century art more broadly.

Major research paper

Due: Wednesday 13 September
Weighting: 50%

2,500-word research paper on two subject areas of modernism you have studied. Essay questions can be found on iLearn site. 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrated critical and analytical reading strategies, interpretive analysis, scholarly research, and effective communication, with particular application to the field of modernist studies in English.
  • Ability to identify, evaluate and apply principles of modernism to different literary modes, narrative and non-narrative.
  • Display creative thinking and construct cohesive arguments, with specific application to modernist literary studies.
  • Consider how historical and theoretical propositions of modernism have shaped the reception and reproduction of 20th-century art more broadly.
  • Demonstrate effective time management, work organisation and application of literary-modernist principles to narrative contexts and beyond.

Delivery and Resources

Classes

Lectures take place on Mondays at 11 am. 

Tutorials are on Mondays at 1 pm or 2 pm. 

Consult the timetable for classrooms. 

 

Required reading

The set texts for this unit are:

1. Jon Stallworthy & Jahan Ramazani (eds), The Norton Anthology of English Literature, Vol. F: The Twentieth Century and After (Norton; 9th edition)

2. James Joyce, A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man (Oxford)

3. Virginia Woolf, To the Lighthouse (Penguin)

Supplementary texts will be made available via Leganto.

 

Required viewing

Ingmar Bergman, Persona (1966)

Michael Haneke, The White Ribbon (2010)

 

Students must view these two films in their own time. DVD copies are held in Reserve, and can be watched at the library. Alternately, students may wish to rent these films from an online library such as iTunes.  

 

Recommended reading

See iLearn site. 

 

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 consult teaching staff for any further, more specific requirements.

 

Policies and Procedures

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 published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) 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 or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@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

If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@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 and analytical reading strategies, interpretive analysis, scholarly research, and effective communication, with particular application to the field of modernist studies in English.
  • Ability to identify, evaluate and apply principles of modernism to different literary modes, narrative and non-narrative.
  • Display creative thinking and construct cohesive arguments, with specific application to modernist literary studies.
  • Ability to engage in informed critical discussion on unit content with peers and teachers, consider and assess others’ points of view, and to argue a critical position.

Assessment tasks

  • Tutorial participation
  • Short essay
  • Major research paper

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

  • Consider how historical and theoretical propositions of modernism have shaped the reception and reproduction of 20th-century art more broadly.
  • Demonstrate effective time management, work organisation and application of literary-modernist principles to narrative contexts and beyond.
  • Ability to engage in informed critical discussion on unit content with peers and teachers, consider and assess others’ points of view, and to argue a critical position.

Assessment tasks

  • Tutorial participation
  • Short essay
  • Major research paper

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

  • Demonstrate effective time management, work organisation and application of literary-modernist principles to narrative contexts and beyond.
  • Ability to engage in informed critical discussion on unit content with peers and teachers, consider and assess others’ points of view, and to argue a critical position.

Assessment tasks

  • Tutorial participation
  • Major research paper

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 and analytical reading strategies, interpretive analysis, scholarly research, and effective communication, with particular application to the field of modernist studies in English.
  • Ability to identify, evaluate and apply principles of modernism to different literary modes, narrative and non-narrative.
  • Consider how historical and theoretical propositions of modernism have shaped the reception and reproduction of 20th-century art more broadly.
  • Ability to engage in informed critical discussion on unit content with peers and teachers, consider and assess others’ points of view, and to argue a critical position.

Assessment tasks

  • Tutorial participation
  • Short essay
  • Major research paper

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 and analytical reading strategies, interpretive analysis, scholarly research, and effective communication, with particular application to the field of modernist studies in English.
  • Ability to identify, evaluate and apply principles of modernism to different literary modes, narrative and non-narrative.
  • Consider how historical and theoretical propositions of modernism have shaped the reception and reproduction of 20th-century art more broadly.
  • Ability to engage in informed critical discussion on unit content with peers and teachers, consider and assess others’ points of view, and to argue a critical position.

Assessment tasks

  • Tutorial participation
  • Short essay
  • Major research paper

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 and analytical reading strategies, interpretive analysis, scholarly research, and effective communication, with particular application to the field of modernist studies in English.
  • Ability to identify, evaluate and apply principles of modernism to different literary modes, narrative and non-narrative.
  • Ability to engage in informed critical discussion on unit content with peers and teachers, consider and assess others’ points of view, and to argue a critical position.

Assessment tasks

  • Tutorial participation
  • Short essay
  • Major research paper

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 and analytical reading strategies, interpretive analysis, scholarly research, and effective communication, with particular application to the field of modernist studies in English.
  • Ability to identify, evaluate and apply principles of modernism to different literary modes, narrative and non-narrative.
  • Display creative thinking and construct cohesive arguments, with specific application to modernist literary studies.
  • Ability to engage in informed critical discussion on unit content with peers and teachers, consider and assess others’ points of view, and to argue a critical position.

Assessment tasks

  • Tutorial participation
  • Short essay
  • Major research paper

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

  • Consider how historical and theoretical propositions of modernism have shaped the reception and reproduction of 20th-century art more broadly.
  • Ability to engage in informed critical discussion on unit content with peers and teachers, consider and assess others’ points of view, and to argue a critical position.

Assessment tasks

  • Tutorial participation
  • Short essay
  • Major research paper

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 outcome

  • Ability to engage in informed critical discussion on unit content with peers and teachers, consider and assess others’ points of view, and to argue a critical position.

Assessment tasks

  • Tutorial participation
  • Short essay
  • Major research paper