Students

LIT 854 – Narrative: Theory and Method

2018 – S2 External

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Convenor
Kirstin Mills
Level 2, Australian Hearing Hub
By appointment
Toby Davidson
Credit points Credit points
4
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MChildLit or MCrWrit or GradDipChildLit or GradDipCrWrit or MA in Children's Literature
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
Drawing on both theoretical texts and works of fiction, this unit examines the critical application of key aspects of narrative theories to children's fiction. Topics include: types of narration, point of view and focalisation in narrative; beginnings and endings; narrative time; characterisation; theory of genres and modes; metafiction and experimental 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:

  • Develop an understanding of and an ability to apply concepts employed in narrative theory in order to extend understanding of fiction beyond the conventional elements of plot, character and theme.
  • Gain an understanding of the implications different narrative forms and processes have for readers.
  • Developed skills in applying the analytical resources available from narrative theory: cognitive narratology; the discourse-story-significance triad; point of view and focalization; structure and organization; genre and its implications for analysing literature; represented conversation in fiction.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Class participation 10% No N/A
Early Feedback Lit Review 40% No Sunday 26 August 2018
Major Essay 50% No Sunday 11 November 2018

Class participation

Due: N/A
Weighting: 10%

External students: active participation in the unit’s online discussion forum, which also means leading the discussion on one of the weekly topics.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Develop an understanding of and an ability to apply concepts employed in narrative theory in order to extend understanding of fiction beyond the conventional elements of plot, character and theme.
  • Gain an understanding of the implications different narrative forms and processes have for readers.
  • Developed skills in applying the analytical resources available from narrative theory: cognitive narratology; the discourse-story-significance triad; point of view and focalization; structure and organization; genre and its implications for analysing literature; represented conversation in fiction.

Early Feedback Lit Review

Due: Sunday 26 August 2018
Weighting: 40%

Please complete a 1500 word literature review on 2 scholarly articles. (Three articles have been identified in your Handbook. Please select two of these for your review.)

The review will evaluate the usefulness of these articles as a guide to understanding narrative. Their claims may be tested in relation to 2-3 of the primary texts set for study in this unit.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Develop an understanding of and an ability to apply concepts employed in narrative theory in order to extend understanding of fiction beyond the conventional elements of plot, character and theme.
  • Gain an understanding of the implications different narrative forms and processes have for readers.
  • Developed skills in applying the analytical resources available from narrative theory: cognitive narratology; the discourse-story-significance triad; point of view and focalization; structure and organization; genre and its implications for analysing literature; represented conversation in fiction.

Major Essay

Due: Sunday 11 November 2018
Weighting: 50%

Please write a major essay of approximately 3000 words which addresses one of the topics listed in the LIT 854 Handbook.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Develop an understanding of and an ability to apply concepts employed in narrative theory in order to extend understanding of fiction beyond the conventional elements of plot, character and theme.
  • Gain an understanding of the implications different narrative forms and processes have for readers.
  • Developed skills in applying the analytical resources available from narrative theory: cognitive narratology; the discourse-story-significance triad; point of view and focalization; structure and organization; genre and its implications for analysing literature; represented conversation in fiction.

Delivery and Resources

Required Reading

1. Gregory Maguire, What-the-Dickens: The Story of a Rogue Tooth Fairy

2. Gene Luen Yang, American Born Chinese

In addition to these primary texts, students fill also find weekly readings (Primary and Secondary Sources) linked via Leganto on the LIT 854 iLearn site.

Students are expected to listen to lectures and complete weekly readings, as well as contribute to the weekly discussion forums on the iLearn site. Please see the iLearn site for the Weekly Schedule.

Unit Schedule

See details on iLearn and in the Unit Handbook.

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.

Penalties for late submission

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.

Word limits

Word limits must be observed. Written assignments which are more than 10% over or under the word limit will be penalised.

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:

Assessment tasks

  • Class 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

  • Develop an understanding of and an ability to apply concepts employed in narrative theory in order to extend understanding of fiction beyond the conventional elements of plot, character and theme.
  • Gain an understanding of the implications different narrative forms and processes have for readers.
  • Developed skills in applying the analytical resources available from narrative theory: cognitive narratology; the discourse-story-significance triad; point of view and focalization; structure and organization; genre and its implications for analysing literature; represented conversation in fiction.

Assessment tasks

  • Class 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

  • Develop an understanding of and an ability to apply concepts employed in narrative theory in order to extend understanding of fiction beyond the conventional elements of plot, character and theme.
  • Gain an understanding of the implications different narrative forms and processes have for readers.
  • Developed skills in applying the analytical resources available from narrative theory: cognitive narratology; the discourse-story-significance triad; point of view and focalization; structure and organization; genre and its implications for analysing literature; represented conversation in fiction.

Assessment tasks

  • Class 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

  • Developed skills in applying the analytical resources available from narrative theory: cognitive narratology; the discourse-story-significance triad; point of view and focalization; structure and organization; genre and its implications for analysing literature; represented conversation in fiction.

Assessment tasks

  • Class 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 outcome

  • Gain an understanding of the implications different narrative forms and processes have for readers.

Assessment tasks

  • Class 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 task

  • Class participation

Requirements and Expectations

To complete LIT854 you must:

  • Access and read/audit unit materials
  • Contribute to online discussions
  • Complete all prescribed assessment tasks
  • Reach a satisfactory level of achievement in the prescribed assessment tasks