Students
ENGL2010 – The Human Story: Heart, Mind and Body in Early Literature
2021 – Session 1, Special circumstances
Notice
As part of Phase 3 of our return to campus plan, most units will now run tutorials, seminars and other small group activities on campus, and most will keep an online version available to those students unable to return or those who choose to continue their studies online.
To check the availability of face-to-face and online 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
Download as PDF
| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Louise D'Arcens
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|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
ENGL1001 or ENGL120 or 40cps at 1000 level or above
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| Corequisites |
Corequisites
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| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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| 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.
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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
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reflection task | 15% | No | 21/03/2021 |
| Research Essay | 25% | No | 30/04/2021 |
| Media rich essay | 40% | No | 06/06/2021 |
| Participatory Task | 20% | No | each teaching week |
Reflection task
Assessment Type 1: Reflective Writing
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: 21/03/2021
Weighting: 15%
A short written reflection on fundamental concepts in the unit
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Demonstrate critical reading habits, interpretive analysis, research, and effective communication, with particular application to the field of English studies.
- Explain, verbally and in written assignments, the relationship between the primary texts and their historical and cultural contexts
Research Essay
Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 hours
Due: 30/04/2021
Weighting: 25%
A medium length essay related to a set topic
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Demonstrate critical reading habits, interpretive analysis, research, and effective communication, with particular application to the field of English studies.
- 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
- Engage in appropriate application of relevant theoretical concepts to the primary texts studied
- Apply understanding of literary techniques to literary study and beyond to other situations
Media rich essay
Assessment Type 1: Project
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: 06/06/2021
Weighting: 40%
Research essay relating to set topics, combining written discussion with visual and/or audio components
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Demonstrate critical reading habits, interpretive analysis, research, and effective communication, with particular application to the field of English studies.
- 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
- Undertake close reading of the primary medieval and early modern texts, and incorporate close reading as evidence into coherent analytical arguments
- Explain, verbally and in written assignments, the relationship between the primary texts and their historical and cultural contexts
- Engage in appropriate application of relevant theoretical concepts to the primary texts studied
- Apply understanding of literary techniques to literary study and beyond to other situations
Participatory Task
Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 24 hours
Due: each teaching week
Weighting: 20%
Preparation of notes for class relating to set tutorial topics and any addition 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:
- Explain, verbally and in written assignments, the relationship between the primary texts and their historical and cultural contexts
- Engage in informed critical discussion of unit content with peers and teachers, accommodate others’ points of view, and argue a critical position
- Apply understanding of literary techniques to literary study and beyond to other situations
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
The unit activities consist of weekly half-hour lecture plus participatory activities responding to set questions.
Required (to buy/read)
- Marie Boroff, (ed), The Gawain Poet, Complete Works (Norton and Company)
- Sir Thomas Malory, Le Morte Darthur, the Winchester Manuscript, ed Helen Cooper (Oxford Worlds Classics)
- William Shakespeare, Othello, ed. Edward Pechter (Norton)
- 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 / iLearn site closely and regularly for detailed information about expected weekly readings.
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). 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
Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/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
Lectures to be delivered online in 2021; tutorials to be a mixture of on-campus and online.
Unit information based on version 2021.02 of the Handbook