Students
ENGL3031 – Popular Fiction
2023 – Session 1, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Stephanie Russo
|
|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
|
| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
130cp at 1000 level or above
|
| Corequisites |
Corequisites
|
| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
|
| Unit description |
Unit description
Apart from being hugely entertaining, what does being popular mean? Cultural perceptions of what makes literaturefiction popular, rather than elite, serious or academic, constantly shift in response to changing historical circumstances. This unit looks at a wide variety of popular novels and short stories from different genres and different historical periods: Gothic novels, crime and detective fiction, romance, popular women's fiction, and fantasy and science fiction. This unit will explore how such texts differ from and challenge their “respectable” counterparts, and consider issues of production, reception, audience engagement and fandom. |
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 knowledge and understanding of the historical development of concepts of popular fiction.
- ULO2: Articulate links between literary texts and their cultural contexts.
- ULO3: Exhibit skills in close textual analysis.
- ULO4: Communicate arguments about literature, culture and aesthetic ideas in oral and written forms whilst engaging with other points of view.
- ULO5: Deploy research skills in order to support arguments about literary texts.
General Assessment Information
Late Assessment Submission Penalty
Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (of the total possible mark) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a mark of ‘0’ (zero) will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical issue.
This late penalty will apply to non-timed sensitive assessment (incl essays, reports, posters, portfolios, journals, recordings etc). Late submission of time sensitive tasks (such as tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, scheduled practical assessments/labs etc) will only be addressed by the unit convenor in a Special consideration application. Special Consideration outcome may result in a new question or topic.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research Essay | 45% | No | 23.55 on 4/6/23 |
| Participatory Task 1: Weeks 1-7 | 10% | No | Weeks 1-7 |
| Case study/analysis | 35% | No | 23.55 on 16/4/23 |
| Participatory task 2: Weeks 8-12 | 10% | No | Weeks 8-12 |
Research Essay
Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 45 hours
Due: 23.55 on 4/6/23
Weighting: 45%
Students will compose a research essay on a set topic.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the historical development of concepts of popular fiction.
- Articulate links between literary texts and their cultural contexts.
- Exhibit skills in close textual analysis.
- Communicate arguments about literature, culture and aesthetic ideas in oral and written forms whilst engaging with other points of view.
- Deploy research skills in order to support arguments about literary texts.
Participatory Task 1: Weeks 1-7
Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 14 hours
Due: Weeks 1-7
Weighting: 10%
Preparation of notes for class relating to set tutorial topics. 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 knowledge and understanding of the historical development of concepts of popular fiction.
- Articulate links between literary texts and their cultural contexts.
- Exhibit skills in close textual analysis.
- Communicate arguments about literature, culture and aesthetic ideas in oral and written forms whilst engaging with other points of view.
Case study/analysis
Assessment Type 1: Case study/analysis
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: 23.55 on 16/4/23
Weighting: 35%
Through a written task, students will demonstrate skills in textual analysis.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Exhibit skills in close textual analysis.
- Communicate arguments about literature, culture and aesthetic ideas in oral and written forms whilst engaging with other points of view.
- Deploy research skills in order to support arguments about literary texts.
Participatory task 2: Weeks 8-12
Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 12 hours
Due: Weeks 8-12
Weighting: 10%
Preparation of notes for class relating to set tutorial topics. 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 knowledge and understanding of the historical development of concepts of popular fiction.
- Articulate links between literary texts and their cultural contexts.
- Exhibit skills in close textual analysis.
- Communicate arguments about literature, culture and aesthetic ideas in oral and written forms whilst engaging with other points of view.
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
Texts to purchase:
Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice
Becky Chambers, The Long Way to a Smal Angry Planet
Martha Wells, All Systems Red
Patrick Rothfuss, The Name of the Wind
Daphne du Maurier, Rebecca
Agatha Christie, The Body in the Library
James Ellroy, The Black Dahlia
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
- Assessment Procedure
- Complaints Resolution 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
Academic Integrity
At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.
Student Support
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
The Writing Centre
The Writing Centre provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.
- Workshops
- Chat with a WriteWISE peer writing leader
- Access StudyWISE
- Upload an assignment to Studiosity
- Complete the Academic Integrity Module
The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources.
Student Services and Support
Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:
- IT Support
- Accessibility and disability support with study
- Mental health support
- Safety support to respond to bullying, harassment, sexual harassment and sexual assault
- Social support including information about finances, tenancy and legal issues
- Student Advocacy provides independent advice on MQ policies, procedures, and processes
Student Enquiries
Got a question? Ask us via AskMQ, or contact Service Connect.
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
Changes to text list
Unit information based on version 2023.01R of the Handbook