Students
ENGX3051 – Critical Approaches to Literature
2025 – 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
Contact via via email
25WWB 543B
by appointment
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|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
ENGX1001 or ENGX1002 or ENGX120; and 20cp in ENGX units at 2000 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 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
The essay, draft essay plan, 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 to late submissions, up until the 7th calendar 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.
Important to note:
- 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.
- Students should not request an informal arrangement from their tutor, lecturer or Unit Convenor (or equivalent).
- Where an application for Special Consideration is approved and the outcome is an extension to the due date of a task, submissions that are received after the new due date will be subject to late penalties that are calculated from the new due date. This only applies where the outcome is an extension to the due date – see the Special Consideration Policy for a schedule of all possible outcomes.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 40% | No | 13/04/2025 |
| Essay plan task | 10% | No | 04/05/2025 |
| Research Essay | 50% | No | 08/06/2025 |
Essay
Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: 13/04/2025
Weighting: 40%
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.
Essay plan task
Assessment Type 1: Plan
Indicative Time on Task 2: 12 hours
Due: 04/05/2025
Weighting: 10%
Draft essay topic and plan
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: 08/06/2025
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 are expected to attend or listen to 1 lecture each week. Lectures will begin in week 1. Students are also expected to attend tutorial classes (in-person mode) or to participate in online discussion forums (for online flexible and OUA students). Tutorials and discussion forums 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:
- 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 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/
Academic Success
Academic Success 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 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.
Changes from Previous Offering
Removal of Participatory Tasks assessment item. Grades and ULOs redistributed amonst alternative assessment tasks.
Unit information based on version 2025.02 of the Handbook