Students

ENGL3051 – Critical Approaches to Literature

2023 – Session 1, Online-flexible

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Convenor, Lecturer, Tutor
Geoffrey Payne
geoffrey.payne@mq.edu.au
Contact via via email
25WWB 220
by appointment
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
ENGL1001 or ENGL1002 or ENGL120; and 20cp in ENGL units at 2000 level or above
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This unit examines different critical approaches to analysing literature, including narratological, postcolonial, feminist, and cognitive. This range of perspectives will open up ways of considering what literature is, what kinds of knowledge it provides, and what is at stake — culturally, politically, aesthetically, and emotionally — in the way texts are understood and consumed. This unit will prepare students for research in literary studies by addressing questions concerning how we as scholars approach literary texts and the critical responses they have attracted; how we recognize and assess a literary approach; and what questions and access points we use to understand and critique literary texts. Practically, students will learn to identify, understand, and apply different questions and concepts to the interpretation of texts and to the creation of meaning.

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: Identify, understand and apply different questions and concepts to the interpretation of texts, and to the creation of meaning.
  • ULO2: Demonstrate an understanding of the way literature is understood and consumed, through the critique of texts from a range of perspectives.
  • ULO3: Compare, contrast and critique different points of view, to generate new ideas in spoken and written contexts.
  • ULO4: Interpret, synthesise and critically analyse published scholarship in English literary studies.
  • ULO5: Organise and present information meaningfully and persuasively through the combination of research and critical practice.

General Assessment Information

Submission Methods

Participatory tasks will be conducted in class during the time of your scheduled tutorial. The essay and research essay must be submitted via Turnitin in iLearn.

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-time-sensitived 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.

These are serious penalties that will substantially alter your final grade and even determine whether you pass or fail this unit. Please make every effort to submit your assignment by the due date.

If you find you cannot submit your assignment on time, please apply for Special Consideration through AskMQ. Make sure you read Macquarie University's policy regarding Special Consideration requests before you apply: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/assessment-exams/special-consideration’.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Participatory task 20% No Weekly, ongoing. Weeks 2-13
Essay 30% No 16/04/2023
Research Essay 50% No 04/06/2023

Participatory task

Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 24 hours
Due: Weekly, ongoing. Weeks 2-13
Weighting: 20%

 

Preparation of notes for class relating to set seminar topics and to any relevant additional research undertaken. Participation in group activities; answering questions in weekly seminars and contributing meaningfully to in-class discussion.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify, understand and apply different questions and concepts to the interpretation of texts, and to the creation of meaning.
  • Compare, contrast and critique different points of view, to generate new ideas in spoken and written contexts.
  • Organise and present information meaningfully and persuasively through the combination of research and critical practice.

Essay

Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: 16/04/2023
Weighting: 30%

 

Discursive (essay) response to one of the set questions. Further information pertaining to the task can be found on the iLearn site for the unit.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify, understand and apply different questions and concepts to the interpretation of texts, and to the creation of meaning.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the way literature is understood and consumed, through the critique of texts from a range of perspectives.
  • Compare, contrast and critique different points of view, to generate new ideas in spoken and written contexts.
  • Interpret, synthesise and critically analyse published scholarship in English literary studies.
  • Organise and present information meaningfully and persuasively through the combination of research and critical practice.

Research Essay

Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 48 hours
Due: 04/06/2023
Weighting: 50%

 

Students will write a research essay relating to the unit’s key themes and concepts. Further information pertaining to the task can be found on the iLearn site for the unit.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify, understand and apply different questions and concepts to the interpretation of texts, and to the creation of meaning.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the way literature is understood and consumed, through the critique of texts from a range of perspectives.
  • Compare, contrast and critique different points of view, to generate new ideas in spoken and written contexts.
  • Interpret, synthesise and critically analyse published scholarship in English literary studies.
  • Organise and present information meaningfully and persuasively through the combination of research and critical practice.

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

Delivery

Students will be required to attend 1 lecture and 1 tutorial each week. Lectures will begin in week 1. Tutorials begin in week 2.

Readings

Most readings for this unit will be supplied digitally via the Macquarie University Library. Students will need to arrange their own access to a copy of William Shakespeare's play, The Tempest (any edition).

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:

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.

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:

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.

Unit information based on version 2023.01R of the Handbook