Students

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

2024 – Session 1, Online-flexible

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff lecturer, tutor, unit convenor
Veronica Alfano
veronica.alfano@mq.edu.au
Contact via email
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
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

General Assessment Information

ASSIGNMENT SUBMISSION

Students are required to submit their written work electronically only, via the Turnitin link in the unit’s iLearn site. Do not submit essays via email. Return of marked work and feedback will be via the unit’s iLearn site. 

SPECIAL CONSIDERATION

If you have a legitimate reason for being unable to submit your work on time, for which you can provide documentation, you will need to complete a Special Consideration request (which must be submitted at www.ask.mq.edu.au within 5 working days of the commencement of the disruption).

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 written reports and recordings only. Late submission of time-sensitive tasks (such as tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, scheduled practical assessments/labs) will be addressed by the unit convenor in a Special Consideration application.

UNIVERSITY POLICY ON ASSESSMENT

The grade a student receives will signify their overall performance in meeting the learning outcomes of a unit of study. Grades will not be awarded by reference to the achievement of other students nor allocated to fit a predetermined distribution. In determining a grade, due weight will be given to the learning outcomes and level of a unit (100, 200, 300, 800, etc). Graded units will use the following grades:

HD        High Distinction           85-100

D           Distinction                   75-84

Cr         Credit                           65-74

P           Pass                            50-64

F           Fail                               0-49

ACADEMIC HONESTY

Academic honesty is an integral part of the core values and principles contained in the Macquarie University Ethics Statement, whose fundamental principle is that all staff and students act with integrity in the creation, development, application, and use of ideas and information, which means that:

  • All academic work claimed as original is the work of the author making the claim.
  • All academic collaborations are acknowledged.
  • Academic work is not falsified in any way.
  • When the ideas of others are used, these ideas are acknowledged appropriately.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Early feedback quiz 10% No 08/03/24, 23:55
Analytical essay 30% No 11/04/24, 23:55
Research Essay 40% No 30/05/24, 23:55
Participatory task 20% No ongoing

Early feedback quiz

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 13 hours
Due: 08/03/24, 23:55
Weighting: 10%

 

A multiple-choice quiz designed to ensure that students are familiar with course policies and that they are cultivating critical reading habits where the assigned texts are concerned.

 
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

Analytical essay

Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 hours
Due: 11/04/24, 23:55
Weighting: 30%

 

A medium-length essay focused on close analysis of the assigned texts (no outside research required). Students will be provided with set tipocs; they will also be given the option to design their own (subject to convenor's approval).

 
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
  • 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

Research Essay

Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 37 hours
Due: 30/05/24, 23:55
Weighting: 40%

 

Research essay relating to set topics, with students given the option to design a topic of their own (subject to convenor's approval).

 
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: ongoing
Weighting: 20%

 

online forum facilitation tasks; meaningful participation in peer-interactive discussion, responding to weekly questions

 
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

One lecture and one tutorial per week (note that online students participate via weekly iLearn forums rather than attending tutorials in person). Tutorials (for in-person students) and iLearn forum discussions (for online students) begin in Week 1.

It is recommended that prospective students order the unit texts in advance (via Booktopia Australia). In addition to the following texts, various PDFs and links to class readings will be provided via iLearn as appropriate:

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 World's Classics)

3. William Shakespeare, Othello, ed. Edward Pechter (Norton) 

STUDY AND RESEARCH SUPPORT

The resources at the following site can assist you in getting your bearings, preparing for class, and undertaking your assessment tasks: http://www.mq.edu.au/about/campus-services-and-facilities/library/research.

The Learning Skills Unit offers assignment and study support through workshops and individual consultations, consultations by email, and StudyWISE, which is an online study and writing resource for students. See https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/writing.

You can also contact the Arts Student Centre at artsenquiries@mq.edu.au. Centre staff are there to smooth the way into university life; answer questions; give informed advice; provide a sympathetic ear; de-mystify university ways and procedures. 

STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES

Macquarie University provides a range of Student Support Services, including Medical, Counselling, and Disability Support services (ph. 9850 7497). Details of these services can accessed at https://students.mq.edu.au/support/personal.

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 connect.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 the Service Connect Portal, 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 2024.02 of the Handbook