Students

ENGL303 – Narrative and the Novel

2018 – S1 Day

General Information

Download as PDF
Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Convenor
Stephanie Russo
Australian Hearing Hub, Level 2 North Wing
Credit points Credit points
3
Prerequisites Prerequisites
6cp in ENGL units at 200 level
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
This unit explores narrative technique in the novel. We will study recent theories of how narratives work and apply these ideas to the interpretation of novels with apparently different aims and strategies, including realism, experimentation with form, and the use of the genre as a vehicle for social commentary or humour. Particular attention will be paid to reconceptualisations of the genre, and different theories accounting for the construction of meaning in narrative. In this unit, students will learn advanced textual analysis and critical practice, including how to interpret and describe the way time and pace are managed; the representation of character and agency; the presentation of consciousness and memory; subjectivity; metafiction; and style and rhetoric in prose fiction.

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:

  • demonstrate advanced critical practices relating to interpretation, textual analysis, and academic writing
  • describe the way pace and focalization are managed; character and agency presented; consciousness represented; and style and rhetoric used in novels
  • demonstrate an understanding of the novel in its social context
  • demonstrate an understanding of narrative theory, including genre theory, advanced research techniques, and familiarity with published scholarship in the field
  • engage in informed critical discussion with others on unit content, entertain other points of view, and argue a critical position.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Essay 1 25% No 11.59 pm Friday 20 April
Book review OR podcast script 25% No 11.59pm Friday 18 May
Essay 2 30% No 11.59 pm Sunday 10 June
Tutorial Performance 20% No Weeks 1-13

Essay 1

Due: 11.59 pm Friday 20 April
Weighting: 25%

1500-word essay on topic supplied, or negotiated with convenor.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • demonstrate advanced critical practices relating to interpretation, textual analysis, and academic writing
  • describe the way pace and focalization are managed; character and agency presented; consciousness represented; and style and rhetoric used in novels
  • demonstrate an understanding of the novel in its social context
  • demonstrate an understanding of narrative theory, including genre theory, advanced research techniques, and familiarity with published scholarship in the field

Book review OR podcast script

Due: 11.59pm Friday 18 May
Weighting: 25%

500 word book review OR podcast script


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • demonstrate advanced critical practices relating to interpretation, textual analysis, and academic writing
  • describe the way pace and focalization are managed; character and agency presented; consciousness represented; and style and rhetoric used in novels
  • demonstrate an understanding of the novel in its social context
  • demonstrate an understanding of narrative theory, including genre theory, advanced research techniques, and familiarity with published scholarship in the field
  • engage in informed critical discussion with others on unit content, entertain other points of view, and argue a critical position.

Essay 2

Due: 11.59 pm Sunday 10 June
Weighting: 30%

2500-word essay on topic supplied, or negotiated with convenor.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • demonstrate advanced critical practices relating to interpretation, textual analysis, and academic writing
  • describe the way pace and focalization are managed; character and agency presented; consciousness represented; and style and rhetoric used in novels
  • demonstrate an understanding of the novel in its social context
  • demonstrate an understanding of narrative theory, including genre theory, advanced research techniques, and familiarity with published scholarship in the field

Tutorial Performance

Due: Weeks 1-13
Weighting: 20%

Attendance at tutorials, demonstrated preparation for and participation in class discussions and activities


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • describe the way pace and focalization are managed; character and agency presented; consciousness represented; and style and rhetoric used in novels
  • demonstrate an understanding of the novel in its social context
  • demonstrate an understanding of narrative theory, including genre theory, advanced research techniques, and familiarity with published scholarship in the field
  • engage in informed critical discussion with others on unit content, entertain other points of view, and argue a critical position.

Delivery and Resources

Delivery:

Day seminars; iLearn

Classes: 

  • Students are required to attend a two-hour seminar each week, (Class attendance is a requirement for being eligible to pass the unit; attendance plus preparation and participation is required to earn a seminar mark). Any absences must be supported by a medical or other certificate.

  •  Students are required to read the set readings for each class, consider the topic questions, and prepare contributions to the class discussion and activities.
  • Students are required to submit two essays (see details below).

 

Times and Locations for Seminars:

For current updates, class times and venues, please consult the MQ Timetables website: http://www.timetables.mq.edu.au.

Required and recommended resources

Novels (in order of use)

  • Jane Austen, Emma
  • Virgina Woolf, Mrs Dalloway 
  • Margaret Atwood, The Edible Woman 
  • Hanya Yanagihara, The People in the Trees
  • Jasper Fforde, The Eyre Affair
  • George Saunders, Lincoln in the Bardo

Recommended Critical Texts

  • Shlomith Rimmon-Kenan, Narrative Fiction: Contemporary Poetics, 2nd ed. (Routledge)
  • Jane Smiley, Thirteen Ways of Looking at the Novel (Anchor)

Unit Schedule

 

Week

Topic

Week 1

 

Introduction

 

Week 2

 

What is a novel?

Week 3

 

Free indirect discourse; did Jane Austen invent the modern novel? 

Week 4

 

Time and characterisation

Week 5

 

Focalization and consciousness

Week 6

 

EASTER MONDAY PUBLIC HOLIDAY

Week 7

 

Narration

Week 8

 

SYDNEY WRITERS FESTIVAL (students to arrange to attend session/s)

Week 9

 

Unreliable narrators

Week 10

 

Representing race

Week 11

 

Comedy and the novel

Week 12

 

The novel today

Week 13

 

NO CLASSES

 

Learning and Teaching Activities

Class Preparation

Read set texts and prepare responses to stimulus questions. Prepare groupwork activities as directed.

Class Participation

Contribute to discussions and participate in small group and other class activities.

Essays

Prepare and submit by the due dates two essays as per instructions.

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:

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

Creative and Innovative

Our graduates will also be capable of creative thinking and of creating knowledge. They will be imaginative and open to experience and capable of innovation at work and in the community. We want them to be engaged in applying their critical, creative thinking.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • demonstrate advanced critical practices relating to interpretation, textual analysis, and academic writing
  • demonstrate an understanding of the novel in its social context
  • demonstrate an understanding of narrative theory, including genre theory, advanced research techniques, and familiarity with published scholarship in the field
  • engage in informed critical discussion with others on unit content, entertain other points of view, and argue a critical position.

Assessment tasks

  • Essay 1
  • Book review OR podcast script
  • Essay 2
  • Tutorial Performance

Capable of Professional and Personal Judgement and Initiative

We want our graduates to have emotional intelligence and sound interpersonal skills and to demonstrate discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgement. They will exercise initiative as needed. They will be capable of risk assessment, and be able to handle ambiguity and complexity, enabling them to be adaptable in diverse and changing environments.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • demonstrate advanced critical practices relating to interpretation, textual analysis, and academic writing
  • demonstrate an understanding of the novel in its social context
  • demonstrate an understanding of narrative theory, including genre theory, advanced research techniques, and familiarity with published scholarship in the field
  • engage in informed critical discussion with others on unit content, entertain other points of view, and argue a critical position.

Assessment tasks

  • Essay 1
  • Book review OR podcast script
  • Essay 2

Commitment to Continuous Learning

Our graduates will have enquiring minds and a literate curiosity which will lead them to pursue knowledge for its own sake. They will continue to pursue learning in their careers and as they participate in the world. They will be capable of reflecting on their experiences and relationships with others and the environment, learning from them, and growing - personally, professionally and socially.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • demonstrate advanced critical practices relating to interpretation, textual analysis, and academic writing
  • describe the way pace and focalization are managed; character and agency presented; consciousness represented; and style and rhetoric used in novels
  • demonstrate an understanding of the novel in its social context
  • demonstrate an understanding of narrative theory, including genre theory, advanced research techniques, and familiarity with published scholarship in the field
  • engage in informed critical discussion with others on unit content, entertain other points of view, and argue a critical position.

Assessment task

  • Book review OR podcast script

Discipline Specific Knowledge and Skills

Our graduates will take with them the intellectual development, depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content in their chosen fields to make them competent and confident in their subject or profession. They will be able to demonstrate, where relevant, professional technical competence and meet professional standards. They will be able to articulate the structure of knowledge of their discipline, be able to adapt discipline-specific knowledge to novel situations, and be able to contribute from their discipline to inter-disciplinary solutions to problems.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • demonstrate advanced critical practices relating to interpretation, textual analysis, and academic writing
  • describe the way pace and focalization are managed; character and agency presented; consciousness represented; and style and rhetoric used in novels
  • demonstrate an understanding of the novel in its social context
  • demonstrate an understanding of narrative theory, including genre theory, advanced research techniques, and familiarity with published scholarship in the field
  • engage in informed critical discussion with others on unit content, entertain other points of view, and argue a critical position.

Assessment task

  • Book review OR podcast script

Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

We want our graduates to be capable of reasoning, questioning and analysing, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments; to be able to critique constraints, assumptions and limitations; to be able to think independently and systemically in relation to scholarly activity, in the workplace, and in the world. We want them to have a level of scientific and information technology literacy.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • demonstrate advanced critical practices relating to interpretation, textual analysis, and academic writing
  • demonstrate an understanding of the novel in its social context
  • demonstrate an understanding of narrative theory, including genre theory, advanced research techniques, and familiarity with published scholarship in the field
  • engage in informed critical discussion with others on unit content, entertain other points of view, and argue a critical position.

Assessment tasks

  • Essay 1
  • Book review OR podcast script
  • Essay 2
  • Tutorial Performance

Problem Solving and Research Capability

Our graduates should be capable of researching; of analysing, and interpreting and assessing data and information in various forms; of drawing connections across fields of knowledge; and they should be able to relate their knowledge to complex situations at work or in the world, in order to diagnose and solve problems. We want them to have the confidence to take the initiative in doing so, within an awareness of their own limitations.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • demonstrate advanced critical practices relating to interpretation, textual analysis, and academic writing
  • demonstrate an understanding of the novel in its social context
  • demonstrate an understanding of narrative theory, including genre theory, advanced research techniques, and familiarity with published scholarship in the field
  • engage in informed critical discussion with others on unit content, entertain other points of view, and argue a critical position.

Assessment tasks

  • Essay 1
  • Book review OR podcast script
  • Essay 2
  • Tutorial Performance

Effective Communication

We want to develop in our students the ability to communicate and convey their views in forms effective with different audiences. We want our graduates to take with them the capability to read, listen, question, gather and evaluate information resources in a variety of formats, assess, write clearly, speak effectively, and to use visual communication and communication technologies as appropriate.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • demonstrate advanced critical practices relating to interpretation, textual analysis, and academic writing
  • describe the way pace and focalization are managed; character and agency presented; consciousness represented; and style and rhetoric used in novels
  • demonstrate an understanding of the novel in its social context
  • demonstrate an understanding of narrative theory, including genre theory, advanced research techniques, and familiarity with published scholarship in the field
  • engage in informed critical discussion with others on unit content, entertain other points of view, and argue a critical position.

Assessment tasks

  • Essay 1
  • Book review OR podcast script
  • Essay 2
  • Tutorial Performance

Engaged and Ethical Local and Global citizens

As local citizens our graduates will be aware of indigenous perspectives and of the nation's historical context. They will be engaged with the challenges of contemporary society and with knowledge and ideas. We want our graduates to have respect for diversity, to be open-minded, sensitive to others and inclusive, and to be open to other cultures and perspectives: they should have a level of cultural literacy. Our graduates should be aware of disadvantage and social justice, and be willing to participate to help create a wiser and better society.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • demonstrate an understanding of the novel in its social context
  • demonstrate an understanding of narrative theory, including genre theory, advanced research techniques, and familiarity with published scholarship in the field

Assessment tasks

  • Book review OR podcast script
  • Essay 2
  • Tutorial Performance

Socially and Environmentally Active and Responsible

We want our graduates to be aware of and have respect for self and others; to be able to work with others as a leader and a team player; to have a sense of connectedness with others and country; and to have a sense of mutual obligation. Our graduates should be informed and active participants in moving society towards sustainability.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • demonstrate an understanding of the novel in its social context
  • demonstrate an understanding of narrative theory, including genre theory, advanced research techniques, and familiarity with published scholarship in the field

Assessment task

  • Book review OR podcast script

Changes from Previous Offering

* Unit texts and unit schedule changed

Assessment Information

Assignment submission

• Please read The Preparation and Presentation of Essays (at

http://www.engl.mq.edu.au/undergrad/undergrad_home.htm).

• Students will be required to submit their essays via the

Turnitin link in the unit’s iLearn site to allow the fullest testing for plagiarism (on

which, see below). Please note that your essay will not be marked unless it has

been submitted via Turnitin within the unit’s iLearn site.

Do not send essays via email.

Late Submission of Written Work

* Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, (a) a penalty for lateness will apply – two (2) marks out of 100 will be deducted per day for assignments submitted after the due date – and (b) no assignment will be accepted more than seven (7) days (incl. weekends) after the original submission deadline. No late submissions will be accepted for timed assessments – e.g. quizzes, online tests.