Students

LIT 864 – Children's Literature: Concepts and Theories

2018 – S1 External

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Senior Lecturer
Ryan Twomey
Contact via 98508743
Level 2, Australian Hearing Hub
By Appointment
Credit points Credit points
4
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MChildLit or MCrWrit or GradDipChildLit or GradDipCrWrit or MEChild or MA in Children's Literature
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
ENGL710
Unit description Unit description
This unit introduces students to contemporary literary and cultural theories pertinent to reading and analysing texts produced for children. Topics include social and historical contexts for the production and reception of children's literature; constructions of childhood; semiotics of visual and verbal texts; critical approaches to children's texts; ideology and value; classics, canons and postmodernity.

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:

  • Students should have a broad knowledge of the kinds of approaches possible in the criticism of literature produced for young people
  • Students should have developed and expanded their understanding and ability to apply literary and cultural concepts to a particular field
  • Students should have refined a conceptual and analytic language with which to discuss literature
  • Students should have developed and refined skills in textual and critical analysis, especially the ability to recognize and analyse the extent to which texts are implicated in and by relationships to cultural practice

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Participation 10% No Evaluated Weekly
Literature Review 40% No 19th March, 2018
Major Research Essay 50% No 11th June, 2018

Participation

Due: Evaluated Weekly
Weighting: 10%

Class Participation for External Students:

External students must participate in online discussions via the LIT 864 iLearn site. One post per week is the minimum participation requirement. External students should read the weekly texts and prepare the seminar discussion topics in advance, then post responses to the seminar questions and respond to the postings of other students, to facilitate an active discussion such as would occur in a face-to-face seminar. Students are also encouraged to raise other relevant points of interest in their online discussions


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Students should have a broad knowledge of the kinds of approaches possible in the criticism of literature produced for young people
  • Students should have developed and expanded their understanding and ability to apply literary and cultural concepts to a particular field
  • Students should have refined a conceptual and analytic language with which to discuss literature

Literature Review

Due: 19th March, 2018
Weighting: 40%

Write a critical review of two of the articles of literary criticism provided for this task (please consult the LIT 864 Handbook). This review, of approx 1500 words, should examine the extent to which these articles are informed and/or shaped by concepts employed by their authors to position themselves in relation to the texts they discuss, and whether these concepts enhance reading or limit it.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Students should have a broad knowledge of the kinds of approaches possible in the criticism of literature produced for young people
  • Students should have developed and expanded their understanding and ability to apply literary and cultural concepts to a particular field
  • Students should have developed and refined skills in textual and critical analysis, especially the ability to recognize and analyse the extent to which texts are implicated in and by relationships to cultural practice

Major Research Essay

Due: 11th June, 2018
Weighting: 50%

Please select a topic for this essay from the LIT 864 Handbook. Your essay should be 3000 words in length (10% over or under word limit applies).


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Students should have a broad knowledge of the kinds of approaches possible in the criticism of literature produced for young people
  • Students should have developed and expanded their understanding and ability to apply literary and cultural concepts to a particular field
  • Students should have refined a conceptual and analytic language with which to discuss literature
  • Students should have developed and refined skills in textual and critical analysis, especially the ability to recognize and analyse the extent to which texts are implicated in and by relationships to cultural practice

Delivery and Resources

The unit is delivered online via the LIT864 ilearn site. Set texts are available from the University Coop bookshop and other resources are available in E-reserve in the library.

 

Required Reading:

  1. Culler, Jonathan, Literary Theory: A Very Short Introduction
  2. Allan Baillie, A Taste of Cockroach
  3. Neil Gaiman, Coraline
  4. Margo Lanagan, White Time
  5. Philip Reeve, Mortal Engines
  6. Shaun Tan, The Lost Thing
  7. Margaret Wild and Ron Brooks, Fox

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.

Departmental Policies

All assignments are to be submitted through turnitin on the LIT864 ilearn site.

Late Submission Penalty

“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 need to be adhered to. Papers which are 10% over or under the word limit may 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:

Learning outcomes

  • Students should have a broad knowledge of the kinds of approaches possible in the criticism of literature produced for young people
  • Students should have developed and expanded their understanding and ability to apply literary and cultural concepts to a particular field
  • Students should have developed and refined skills in textual and critical analysis, especially the ability to recognize and analyse the extent to which texts are implicated in and by relationships to cultural practice

Assessment tasks

  • Participation
  • Major Research 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

  • Students should have a broad knowledge of the kinds of approaches possible in the criticism of literature produced for young people
  • Students should have developed and expanded their understanding and ability to apply literary and cultural concepts to a particular field
  • Students should have refined a conceptual and analytic language with which to discuss literature
  • Students should have developed and refined skills in textual and critical analysis, especially the ability to recognize and analyse the extent to which texts are implicated in and by relationships to cultural practice

Assessment tasks

  • Literature Review
  • Major Research 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

  • Students should have developed and expanded their understanding and ability to apply literary and cultural concepts to a particular field
  • Students should have refined a conceptual and analytic language with which to discuss literature
  • Students should have developed and refined skills in textual and critical analysis, especially the ability to recognize and analyse the extent to which texts are implicated in and by relationships to cultural practice

Assessment tasks

  • Participation
  • Literature Review
  • Major Research 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 outcomes

  • Students should have refined a conceptual and analytic language with which to discuss literature
  • Students should have developed and refined skills in textual and critical analysis, especially the ability to recognize and analyse the extent to which texts are implicated in and by relationships to cultural practice

Assessment tasks

  • Literature Review
  • Major Research 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

  • Students should have refined a conceptual and analytic language with which to discuss literature
  • Students should have developed and refined skills in textual and critical analysis, especially the ability to recognize and analyse the extent to which texts are implicated in and by relationships to cultural practice

Assessment tasks

  • Participation
  • Literature Review
  • Major Research 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:

Learning outcomes

  • Students should have a broad knowledge of the kinds of approaches possible in the criticism of literature produced for young people
  • Students should have developed and expanded their understanding and ability to apply literary and cultural concepts to a particular field
  • Students should have developed and refined skills in textual and critical analysis, especially the ability to recognize and analyse the extent to which texts are implicated in and by relationships to cultural practice

Assessment tasks

  • Participation
  • Major Research Essay