Students
LIT 846 – Retelling Stories: Sources of Children's Literature
2018 – S1 External
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convenor
Toby Davidson
Contact via Please contact via email.
Please email to arrange appointment.
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| Credit points |
Credit points
4
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to MChildLit or MCrWrit or GradDipChildLit or GradDipCrWrit or MEChild or MA in Children's Literature
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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 focuses on the retelling of traditional stories, mainly drawn from European cultures, as a significant endeavour in Anglophone children's literature. It examines how the retelling of, in particular, classical myths, Bible stories, heroic legends, Arthurian romances and 'oriental' tales discloses the aspirations of society and the values it wishes to convey to children.
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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:
- Acquire a coherent and advanced knowledge of the range and types of retellings produced for children.
- Synthesize and analyze information from a variety of sources, and show an awareness of the various ways in which the literature is oriented by cultural assumptions, practices and ideologies.
- Develop skills in textual and cultural analysis, especially the ability to analyse the extent to which texts attempt to intervene in cultural formations.
- Understand how readers are positioned by the interplay of the known and the new in the process of retelling stories.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Participation | 10% | No | By Week 12 |
| Early Feedback Lit Review | 40% | No | 23:59 on 13 April 2018 |
| Major Essay | 50% | No | 23:59 on 1 June 2018 |
Participation
Due: By Week 12
Weighting: 10%
External students must participate in online discussions via the LIT 846 iLearn site.
As part of their participation, students must nominate one of the weekly topics and will then be responsible for leading the group discussion on this topic in the relevant week. Students will be asked to nominate a topic in Weeks 1-2. At the beginning of each week, students who have nominated that topic will be responsible for leading the class discussion.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Synthesize and analyze information from a variety of sources, and show an awareness of the various ways in which the literature is oriented by cultural assumptions, practices and ideologies.
- Develop skills in textual and cultural analysis, especially the ability to analyse the extent to which texts attempt to intervene in cultural formations.
- Understand how readers are positioned by the interplay of the known and the new in the process of retelling stories.
Early Feedback Lit Review
Due: 23:59 on 13 April 2018
Weighting: 40%
You must write a literature review of three articles, each of which is available for download on the iLearn site. Once complete, submit your review via the Turnitin link under 'Assessments' on the iLearn site.
A literature review is not an annotated bibliography (a list of works with added notes) but an in-depth discussion and assessment of how experts have approached an issue. It will have an introduction, body and conclusion, well-formed paragraphs, and a logical structure. Compare and contrast the works you are discussing, showing their strengths (and weaknesses), how they agree/disagree, and what contribution they make to your understanding of the subject.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Synthesize and analyze information from a variety of sources, and show an awareness of the various ways in which the literature is oriented by cultural assumptions, practices and ideologies.
- Develop skills in textual and cultural analysis, especially the ability to analyse the extent to which texts attempt to intervene in cultural formations.
- Understand how readers are positioned by the interplay of the known and the new in the process of retelling stories.
Major Essay
Due: 23:59 on 1 June 2018
Weighting: 50%
Please write a final essay based on the topics listed for weeks 2-12. More information is provided in the Unit Handbook. On the iLearn site (under 'Assessments') there will also be a Turnitin link to submit the essay.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Acquire a coherent and advanced knowledge of the range and types of retellings produced for children.
- Synthesize and analyze information from a variety of sources, and show an awareness of the various ways in which the literature is oriented by cultural assumptions, practices and ideologies.
- Develop skills in textual and cultural analysis, especially the ability to analyse the extent to which texts attempt to intervene in cultural formations.
- Understand how readers are positioned by the interplay of the known and the new in the process of retelling stories.
Delivery and Resources
LIT 846 will be run as an online unit. This means that there are no face-to-face classes scheduled. Students must use the LIT 846 iLearn site to access unit material and take part in weekly discussions.
Mini Lectures will be provided on the LIT 846 iLearn site (although they are not scheduled for each weekly topic). These lectures will not function as comprehensive summaries of the readings, nor should students anticipate that these lectures offer definitive ‘answers’ to many of the big questions we will look at this semester. The lectures are designed to contextualise the readings, suggest multiple approaches to their interpretation, and direct attention to specific aspects of the readings or issues for discussion. In some cases, the lectures will survey an issue or theme and propose working definitions of key terms (definitions which you are encouraged to adapt, elaborate on and contend with).
Critical Texts:
Stephens, John and Robyn McCallum Retelling Stories, Framing Culture: Traditional Story and Metanarratives in Children's Literature, New York and London: Routledge, 1998.
Primary Texts:
- Gaughen, A.C., Scarlet (2012). ISBN: 9780802723468
- Gaiman, Neil, Odd and the Frost Giants. London: Bloomsbury, 2008. ISBN: 9780747598114
- Maguire, Gregory. Wicked: The Life and Times of The Wicked Witch of the West. New York: Harper Collins, 1995. ISBN: 978-0061350962
- Pinkwater, Daniel. The Yggyssey: How Iggy Wondered What Happened to All the Ghosts, Found Out Where They Went, and Went There. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2009. ISBN: 978-0547328652
- Ray, Michelle. Falling for Hamlet (2011) ISBN: 0316101613
***Recommended Reading: Almond, David. A Song for Ella Grey (2014).
Additional Primary texts:
A Primary Sources document of additional primary texts is available on iLearn. These are example texts relevant to each week. Links to relevant weekly readings are provided in the Weekly tabs on iLearn, just above the weekly discussion forum links.
In the Weekly Schedule (see Unit Handbook), wider example texts are also given, some of which you may own or have access to through university and civic libraries. These will be referred to contextually, but are not required reading.
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). 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 (Note: The Special Consideration Policy is effective from 4 December 2017 and replaces the Disruption to Studies Policy.)
Undergraduate students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central).
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/getting-started/student-conduct
Results
Results shown in iLearn, 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.
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 improve your marks and take control of your study.
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
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.
Graduate Capabilities
PG - Capable of Professional and Personal Judgment and Initiative
Our postgraduates will demonstrate a high standard of discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgment. They will have the ability to make informed choices and decisions that reflect both the nature of their professional work and their personal perspectives.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Synthesize and analyze information from a variety of sources, and show an awareness of the various ways in which the literature is oriented by cultural assumptions, practices and ideologies.
- Develop skills in textual and cultural analysis, especially the ability to analyse the extent to which texts attempt to intervene in cultural formations.
Assessment tasks
- Participation
- Major Essay
PG - Discipline Knowledge and Skills
Our postgraduates will be able to demonstrate a significantly enhanced depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content knowledge in their chosen fields.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Acquire a coherent and advanced knowledge of the range and types of retellings produced for children.
- Synthesize and analyze information from a variety of sources, and show an awareness of the various ways in which the literature is oriented by cultural assumptions, practices and ideologies.
- Develop skills in textual and cultural analysis, especially the ability to analyse the extent to which texts attempt to intervene in cultural formations.
- Understand how readers are positioned by the interplay of the known and the new in the process of retelling stories.
Assessment tasks
- Participation
- Early Feedback Lit Review
- Major Essay
PG - Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking
Our postgraduates will be capable of utilising and reflecting on prior knowledge and experience, of applying higher level critical thinking skills, and of integrating and synthesising learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments. A characteristic of this form of thinking is the generation of new, professionally oriented knowledge through personal or group-based critique of practice and theory.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Acquire a coherent and advanced knowledge of the range and types of retellings produced for children.
- Synthesize and analyze information from a variety of sources, and show an awareness of the various ways in which the literature is oriented by cultural assumptions, practices and ideologies.
- Develop skills in textual and cultural analysis, especially the ability to analyse the extent to which texts attempt to intervene in cultural formations.
- Understand how readers are positioned by the interplay of the known and the new in the process of retelling stories.
Assessment tasks
- Participation
- Early Feedback Lit Review
- Major Essay
PG - Research and Problem Solving Capability
Our postgraduates will be capable of systematic enquiry; able to use research skills to create new knowledge that can be applied to real world issues, or contribute to a field of study or practice to enhance society. They will be capable of creative questioning, problem finding and problem solving.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcome
- Synthesize and analyze information from a variety of sources, and show an awareness of the various ways in which the literature is oriented by cultural assumptions, practices and ideologies.
Assessment tasks
- Participation
- Major Essay
PG - Effective Communication
Our postgraduates will be able to communicate effectively and convey their views to different social, cultural, and professional audiences. They will be able to use a variety of technologically supported media to communicate with empathy using a range of written, spoken or visual formats.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Synthesize and analyze information from a variety of sources, and show an awareness of the various ways in which the literature is oriented by cultural assumptions, practices and ideologies.
- Develop skills in textual and cultural analysis, especially the ability to analyse the extent to which texts attempt to intervene in cultural formations.
Assessment tasks
- Participation
- Early Feedback Lit Review
- Major Essay
PG - Engaged and Responsible, Active and Ethical Citizens
Our postgraduates will be ethically aware and capable of confident transformative action in relation to their professional responsibilities and the wider community. They will have a sense of connectedness with others and country and have a sense of mutual obligation. They will be able to appreciate the impact of their professional roles for social justice and inclusion related to national and global issues
This graduate capability is supported by:
Assessment tasks
- Participation
- Major Essay