Students

ENGL375 – Murder, Mystery and Mayhem: Crime and Detective Fiction

2019 – S1 Day

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Lee O'Brien
Stephanie Russo
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
From the early nineteenth century onwards a series of extraordinarily entertaining crime and detection narratives came to dominate the market for popular fiction. These stories represented in part a development of Gothic modes, and were intensely responsive to and productive of cultural change. They have only recently been the focus of sustained critical attention, as accounts of the often disruptive power of popular and pulp culture continue to displace the hegemony of elite forms and canonical writers. From Poe to modern television drama, writers produced fiction that transformed ideas of gender and narration, and re-imagined the role of crime and its relation to ordinary life and normative values.

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:

  • To introduce students to a range of cross-media crime fiction narratives.
  • To develop analytical and research skills that can be applied to past and present cultural and literary debates.
  • To learn to communicate historical and theoretical concepts in verbal and written forms
  • To develop a greater understanding of the profound impact on contemporary culture of the emergence of the detective as major cultural figure.
  • To gain a greater understanding of the historical and often hierarchical deployment of concepts of culture, violence, and the criminal, progress, reason and superstition, the imagination, literary and aesthetic value.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Participation 20% No Ongoing
Short Essay 35% No 23.59 Sunday 7 April
Long Essay 45% No 23.59 Sunday 9 June

Participation

Due: Ongoing
Weighting: 20%

Ongoing preparation for, and participation in, seminars


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • To introduce students to a range of cross-media crime fiction narratives.
  • To learn to communicate historical and theoretical concepts in verbal and written forms
  • To develop a greater understanding of the profound impact on contemporary culture of the emergence of the detective as major cultural figure.
  • To gain a greater understanding of the historical and often hierarchical deployment of concepts of culture, violence, and the criminal, progress, reason and superstition, the imagination, literary and aesthetic value.

Short Essay

Due: 23.59 Sunday 7 April
Weighting: 35%

Short essay (2000 words)


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • To introduce students to a range of cross-media crime fiction narratives.
  • To develop analytical and research skills that can be applied to past and present cultural and literary debates.
  • To learn to communicate historical and theoretical concepts in verbal and written forms
  • To develop a greater understanding of the profound impact on contemporary culture of the emergence of the detective as major cultural figure.
  • To gain a greater understanding of the historical and often hierarchical deployment of concepts of culture, violence, and the criminal, progress, reason and superstition, the imagination, literary and aesthetic value.

Long Essay

Due: 23.59 Sunday 9 June
Weighting: 45%

Long essay (3000 words)


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • To introduce students to a range of cross-media crime fiction narratives.
  • To develop analytical and research skills that can be applied to past and present cultural and literary debates.
  • To learn to communicate historical and theoretical concepts in verbal and written forms
  • To develop a greater understanding of the profound impact on contemporary culture of the emergence of the detective as major cultural figure.
  • To gain a greater understanding of the historical and often hierarchical deployment of concepts of culture, violence, and the criminal, progress, reason and superstition, the imagination, literary and aesthetic value.

Delivery and Resources

The set texts (to buy) are as follows:

Agatha Christie, Appointment with Death

Dorothy Sayers, Unnatural Death

Gladys Mitchell, The Rising of the Moon

Patricia Highsmith, Strangers on a Train

Dashiell Hammett, The Maltese Falcon

Truman Capote, Music for Chameleons 

Gillian Flynn, Gone Girl

Jane Harper, The Dry

Please see iLearn site for more information. 

Unit Schedule

Information to be found on iLearn site. 

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

  • To develop analytical and research skills that can be applied to past and present cultural and literary debates.
  • To learn to communicate historical and theoretical concepts in verbal and written forms
  • To develop a greater understanding of the profound impact on contemporary culture of the emergence of the detective as major cultural figure.
  • To gain a greater understanding of the historical and often hierarchical deployment of concepts of culture, violence, and the criminal, progress, reason and superstition, the imagination, literary and aesthetic value.

Assessment tasks

  • Participation
  • Short Essay
  • Long Essay

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

  • To introduce students to a range of cross-media crime fiction narratives.
  • To develop analytical and research skills that can be applied to past and present cultural and literary debates.
  • To learn to communicate historical and theoretical concepts in verbal and written forms
  • To develop a greater understanding of the profound impact on contemporary culture of the emergence of the detective as major cultural figure.
  • To gain a greater understanding of the historical and often hierarchical deployment of concepts of culture, violence, and the criminal, progress, reason and superstition, the imagination, literary and aesthetic value.

Assessment tasks

  • Participation
  • Short Essay
  • Long Essay

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

  • To introduce students to a range of cross-media crime fiction narratives.
  • To develop analytical and research skills that can be applied to past and present cultural and literary debates.
  • To learn to communicate historical and theoretical concepts in verbal and written forms
  • To develop a greater understanding of the profound impact on contemporary culture of the emergence of the detective as major cultural figure.
  • To gain a greater understanding of the historical and often hierarchical deployment of concepts of culture, violence, and the criminal, progress, reason and superstition, the imagination, literary and aesthetic value.

Assessment tasks

  • Participation
  • Short Essay
  • Long Essay

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

  • To introduce students to a range of cross-media crime fiction narratives.
  • To develop analytical and research skills that can be applied to past and present cultural and literary debates.
  • To learn to communicate historical and theoretical concepts in verbal and written forms
  • To develop a greater understanding of the profound impact on contemporary culture of the emergence of the detective as major cultural figure.
  • To gain a greater understanding of the historical and often hierarchical deployment of concepts of culture, violence, and the criminal, progress, reason and superstition, the imagination, literary and aesthetic value.

Assessment tasks

  • Participation
  • Short Essay
  • Long Essay

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

  • To introduce students to a range of cross-media crime fiction narratives.
  • To develop analytical and research skills that can be applied to past and present cultural and literary debates.
  • To learn to communicate historical and theoretical concepts in verbal and written forms
  • To develop a greater understanding of the profound impact on contemporary culture of the emergence of the detective as major cultural figure.
  • To gain a greater understanding of the historical and often hierarchical deployment of concepts of culture, violence, and the criminal, progress, reason and superstition, the imagination, literary and aesthetic value.

Assessment tasks

  • Participation
  • Short Essay
  • Long Essay

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

  • To introduce students to a range of cross-media crime fiction narratives.
  • To develop analytical and research skills that can be applied to past and present cultural and literary debates.
  • To learn to communicate historical and theoretical concepts in verbal and written forms
  • To develop a greater understanding of the profound impact on contemporary culture of the emergence of the detective as major cultural figure.
  • To gain a greater understanding of the historical and often hierarchical deployment of concepts of culture, violence, and the criminal, progress, reason and superstition, the imagination, literary and aesthetic value.

Assessment tasks

  • Participation
  • Short Essay
  • Long Essay

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

  • To introduce students to a range of cross-media crime fiction narratives.
  • To develop analytical and research skills that can be applied to past and present cultural and literary debates.
  • To learn to communicate historical and theoretical concepts in verbal and written forms
  • To develop a greater understanding of the profound impact on contemporary culture of the emergence of the detective as major cultural figure.
  • To gain a greater understanding of the historical and often hierarchical deployment of concepts of culture, violence, and the criminal, progress, reason and superstition, the imagination, literary and aesthetic value.

Assessment tasks

  • Participation
  • Short Essay
  • Long Essay

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

  • To develop analytical and research skills that can be applied to past and present cultural and literary debates.
  • To develop a greater understanding of the profound impact on contemporary culture of the emergence of the detective as major cultural figure.
  • To gain a greater understanding of the historical and often hierarchical deployment of concepts of culture, violence, and the criminal, progress, reason and superstition, the imagination, literary and aesthetic value.

Assessment task

  • Participation

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

  • To develop analytical and research skills that can be applied to past and present cultural and literary debates.
  • To develop a greater understanding of the profound impact on contemporary culture of the emergence of the detective as major cultural figure.
  • To gain a greater understanding of the historical and often hierarchical deployment of concepts of culture, violence, and the criminal, progress, reason and superstition, the imagination, literary and aesthetic value.

Assessment task

  • Participation

Changes from Previous Offering

This is a new unit; 2019 will be its first iteration