Students
ENGL2040 – Historical Fiction and a Passion for the Past
2020 – Session 2, Weekday attendance, North Ryde
Notice
As part of Phase 3 of our return to campus plan, most units will now run tutorials, seminars and other small group learning activities on campus for the second half-year, while keeping an online version available for those students unable to return or those who choose to continue their studies online.
To check the availability of face to face activities for your unit, please go to timetable viewer. To check detailed information on unit assessments visit your unit's iLearn space or consult your unit convenor.
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Stephanie Russo
Ellie Crookes
|
|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
|
| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
40cp
|
| Corequisites |
Corequisites
|
| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
|
| Unit description |
Unit description
Historical fiction is one of the oldest genres of the literary novel, but the past is also used in many different ways in popular mass-market fiction such as romance and fantasy. This unit explores the use of history in narrative forms, including medieval literature, the rise of the novel in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, and the explosion of popular genre fiction in the twentieth century. It looks at how the genre became "feminised" and the role of the novelist Georgette Heyer in creating a new subgenre of historical romance. It explores how fantasy novelists such as George R.R. Martin draw upon medievalism to create strange and compelling worlds in the series A Game of Thrones. Yet the twenty-first century historical novel is not merely entertaining; it can create debates and challenge public perceptions of the past in unsettling ways. Students will also consider how the past informs literary and popular fiction, and why historical fiction can sometimes be considered a form of historiographical interpretation, especially in novels relating to the Second World War and the Holocaust. |
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:
- ULO1: Explain the development and evolution of the historical novel
- ULO2: Describe and analyse the way that history is used in different genres of fiction
- ULO3: Demonstrate an understanding of the place that historical novels have in the public understanding of history
- ULO4: Evaluate both literary and historiographic scholarship on the historical novel
- ULO5: Demonstrate an ability to form cohesive and well-researched arguments about literary texts, and present these ideas both orally and in writing.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 40% | No | Sunday 8 November 23.59 |
| Quiz | 10% | No | Week 3 (Monday 10 August to Sunday 16 August 2020) |
| Participatory task | 20% | No | Ongoing |
| Professsional writing task | 30% | No | Sunday 13 September 23.59 |
Essay
Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 37 hours
Due: Sunday 8 November 23.59
Weighting: 40%
Research essay related to a set topic
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Explain the development and evolution of the historical novel
- Describe and analyse the way that history is used in different genres of fiction
- Demonstrate an understanding of the place that historical novels have in the public understanding of history
- Evaluate both literary and historiographic scholarship on the historical novel
Quiz
Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 2 hours
Due: Week 3 (Monday 10 August to Sunday 16 August 2020)
Weighting: 10%
Students will complete one online quiz in Week 3, comprising 10 multiple choice questions. They will be timed at 10 minutes in duration.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of the place that historical novels have in the public understanding of history
- Evaluate both literary and historiographic scholarship on the historical novel
Participatory task
Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 36 hours
Due: Ongoing
Weighting: 20%
Preparation of notes for class relating to set tutorial topics and any additional research. Participation in group activities; answering questions in weekly tutorials and contributing meaningfully to in-class discussion
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Demonstrate an ability to form cohesive and well-researched arguments about literary texts, and present these ideas both orally and in writing.
Professsional writing task
Assessment Type 1: Professional writing
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: Sunday 13 September 23.59
Weighting: 30%
Professional writing task
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Explain the development and evolution of the historical novel
- Describe and analyse the way that history is used in different genres of fiction
- Demonstrate an understanding of the place that historical novels have in the public understanding of history
- Evaluate both literary and historiographic scholarship on the historical novel
- Demonstrate an ability to form cohesive and well-researched arguments about literary texts, and present these ideas both orally and in writing.
1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:
- the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
- the Writing Centre for academic skills support.
2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation
Delivery and Resources
1 pre-recorded lecture and 1 Zoom tutorial per week
Books to purchase:
- Kazuo Ishiguro, The Buried Giant.
- Georgette Heyer, The Grand Sophy
- Sarah MacLean, A Scot in the Dark
- Hannah Capin, The Dead Queens Club
- Markus Zusak, The Book Thief
- Kate Greenville, The Secret River
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:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Grade Appeal Policy
- Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy (Note: The Special Consideration Policy is effective from 4 December 2017 and replaces the Disruption to Studies Policy.)
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 help you improve your marks and take control of your study.
The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources.
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.
Changes from Previous Offering
New unit