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Lismore
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Unit description

Introduces students to contemporary literary and cultural theories which will engage them in the central questions about the place of writing in culture. The genres of poetry, drama, fiction and non-fiction, as well as popular genres, are studied in relation to their cultural significances and their participation in cultural formation.

Unit content

Week 1  Topic 1: Introduction to Literary Studies

Week 2  Topic 1: Literary Studies and its Major Theories

Week 3  Topic 2: Reading The Tempest Over Time

Week 4  Topic 3: Realism and the Novel

Week 5  Topic 3: Realism and the Novel: Jane Eyre

Week 6  Topic 4: Modernism and the Changing World

Week 7  Study Break

Week 8  Topic 4: Modernism and the Changing World: Poetry and Short Fiction

Week 9  Topic 5: Postcolonial Studies

Week 10 Topic 5: Postcolonial Studies: Wide Sargasso Sea

Week 11 Topic 6: Postmodernism

Week 12 Topic 6: Postmodernism: Only the Animals

Week 13 Review Week

Learning outcomes

Unit Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a unit. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes. The unit learning outcomes and graduate attributes are also the basis of evaluating prior learning.

GA1: Intellectual rigour, GA2: Creativity, GA3: Ethical practice, GA4: Knowledge of a discipline, GA5: Lifelong learning, GA6: Communication and social skills, GA7: Cultural competence
On completion of this unit, students should be able to:GA1GA2GA3GA4GA5GA6GA7
1demonstrate an understanding of the basics of contemporary literary theory in relation to a range of written textsIntellectual rigourKnowledge of a discipline
2apply relevant theories to a variety of written texts and understand the contexts in which texts can be read and critiquedIntellectual rigourKnowledge of a discipline
3recognise different kinds of written texts in terms of their origins and structures and the ways in which they may generate meaningIntellectual rigourKnowledge of a discipline
4decode a range of written texts with appropriate levels of theoretical and practical insightsIntellectual rigourCreativityKnowledge of a discipline
5understand the ongoing and changing nature of critical thinkingIntellectual rigourKnowledge of a discipline
6appreciate and apply appropriate research and referencing to academic writing.Intellectual rigourKnowledge of a discipline

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. demonstrate an understanding of the basics of contemporary literary theory in relation to a range of written texts
    • GA1: Intellectual rigour
    • GA4: Knowledge of a discipline
  2. apply relevant theories to a variety of written texts and understand the contexts in which texts can be read and critiqued
    • GA1: Intellectual rigour
    • GA4: Knowledge of a discipline
  3. recognise different kinds of written texts in terms of their origins and structures and the ways in which they may generate meaning
    • GA1: Intellectual rigour
    • GA4: Knowledge of a discipline
  4. decode a range of written texts with appropriate levels of theoretical and practical insights
    • GA1: Intellectual rigour
    • GA2: Creativity
    • GA4: Knowledge of a discipline
  5. understand the ongoing and changing nature of critical thinking
    • GA1: Intellectual rigour
    • GA4: Knowledge of a discipline
  6. appreciate and apply appropriate research and referencing to academic writing.
    • GA1: Intellectual rigour
    • GA4: Knowledge of a discipline

Prescribed texts

  • Klages, M, 2017, Literary Theory: The Complete Guide, Bloomsbury Academic , UK. ISBN: 9781472592743.
  • Originally published 1847. Any complete, unabridged version of this text is acceptable. : Bronte, C, 2006, Jane Eyre, Penguin Classics, London. ISBN: 9780141441146.
  • Originally published 1966. Any complete, unabridged version of this text is acceptable. : Rhys, J, 2011, Wide Sargasso Sea, Penguin, London. ISBN: 9780241951552.
  • Originally published 2014. Any complete, unabridged version of this text is acceptable. : Dovey, C, 2015, Only the Animals , Penguin , Australia. ISBN: 9780143573012.
  • c. 1610-1611. Any complete, unabridged version of this text is acceptable. Also available online http://www.opensourceshakespeare.org/views/plays/playmenu.php?WorkID=tempest: Shakespeare, W, 2017, The Tempest, Penguin, London. ISBN: 9780143128632.

  • Prescribed text information is not currently available.
Prescribed texts may change in future study periods.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching method
Lecture online 1 hour (12 weeks)
Tutorial on-site 2 hours  (12 weeks)
Assessment
Short written response15%
Portfolio40%
Essay45%

Teaching method
Lecture online 1 hour (12 weeks)
Structured online learning 2 hours (12 weeks)
Assessment
Short written response15%
Portfolio40%
Essay45%
Notice

Intensive offerings may or may not be scheduled in every session. Please refer to the timetable for further details.

Southern Cross University employs different teaching methods within units to provide students with the flexibility to choose the mode of learning that best suits them. SCU academics strive to use the latest approaches and, as a result, the learning modes and materials may change. The most current information regarding a unit will be provided to enrolled students at the beginning of the study session.

Fee information

Domestic

Commonwealth Supported courses
For information regarding Student Contribution Amounts please visit the Student Contribution Amounts.

Fee paying courses
For postgraduate or undergraduate full fee paying courses please check Domestic Postgraduate Fees OR Domestic Undergraduate Fees

International

Please check the international course and fee list to determine the relevant fees.

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