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ENGX2010 – The Human Story: Heart, Mind and Body in Early Literature

2020 – Session 1, Fully online/virtual

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update

Due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, any references to assessment tasks and on-campus delivery may no longer be up-to-date on this page.

Students should consult iLearn for revised unit information.

Find out more about the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and potential impacts on staff and students

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Convenor
Louise D'Arcens
Lecturer
Ellie Crookes
Ellie Crookes
Ellie Crookes
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
ENGX1001 or ENGX120
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
This unit explores the rich and ever-changing category of 'the human' as it features in some of the most influential writings in English up to and including those by Shakespeare. It considers how these writings responded to and shaped ideas of 'the human' in their own times, while also examining how earlier literary representations of humanness relate to our modern assumptions about what it is to be human. Students will be exposed to a range of texts that offer insights into how the mind, the emotions, and the body were understood in medieval and early modern literature, and also study later texts that adapt these early ideas for modern use. The unit offers students an approach to early literature that will acquaint them with distant times and world views while also anchoring their studies of later literatures and shedding light on their understanding of the world today. This unit increases their literary-historical knowledge as well as their conceptual and technical vocabulary, to analyse and discuss literature from different periods and contexts with confidence. It also enables them to develop a sophisticated understanding of how cultures across time intersect with one another, and appreciate the vital function played by literature throughout the human story.

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: Demonstrate critical reading habits, interpretive analysis, research, and effective communication, with particular application to the field of English studies.
  • ULO2: Understand and be able to describe some of the key features of a range of textual representations of mind, heart, and body from the medieval to the early modern period
  • ULO3: Undertake close reading of the primary medieval and early modern texts, and incorporate close reading as evidence into coherent analytical arguments
  • ULO4: Explain, verbally and in written assignments, the relationship between the primary texts and their historical and cultural contexts
  • ULO5: Engage in appropriate application of relevant theoretical concepts to the primary texts studied
  • ULO6: Engage in informed critical discussion of unit content with peers and teachers, accommodate others’ points of view, and argue a critical position
  • ULO7: Apply understanding of literary techniques to literary study and beyond to other situations

Assessment Tasks

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update

Assessment details are no longer provided here as a result of changes due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Students should consult iLearn for revised unit information.

Find out more about the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and potential impacts on staff and students

Delivery and Resources

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update

Any references to on-campus delivery below may no longer be relevant due to COVID-19.

Please check here for updated delivery information: https://ask.mq.edu.au/account/pub/display/unit_status

The unit activities consist of weekly half-hour lecture plus participatory activities responding to set questions. Required (to buy/read) 1. Marie Boroff, (ed), The Gawain Poet, Complete Works (Norton and Company) 2. Sir Thomas Malory, Le Morte Darthur, the Winchester Manuscript, ed Helen Cooper (Oxford Worlds Classics) 3. William Shakespeare, Othello, ed. Edward Pechter (Norton) 4. Margaret Cavendish, Bell in Campo and The Sociable Companions, ed. Alexandra G. Barrett (Broadview Press) Readings for some weeks will be accessible as scanned PDF files or links via the unit iLearn site Students are advised to consult the unit Handbook closely for detailed information about expected weekly readings.

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:

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 since First Published

Date Description
15/02/2020 No changes made to published version.