ENGL2675: Semester 2, 2025

Units ENGL2675 Semester 2 2025 [Normal day]

Unit outline_

ENGL2675: Literary and Textual Theories

Semester 2, 2025 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

This unit of study introduces concepts and debates that been influential in theorizations of textuality and discursive production in English studies. How have the representational, affective, social and ideological capacities of literary and other texts been conceived What relations have been posited with their historically-situated readers, writers and subjects Students will be introduced to problems of identity, (un)reason, power and critique as they impinge on textuality and meaning, and consider the implications these might have for the humanities, including for the choice to adopt the theoretical stance itself, in a period of environmental crisis and mounting authoritarianism.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	English and Writing
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	12 credit points at 1000 level including 6 credit points from English
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Nick Riemer, nick.riemer@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 1 September 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Written exam ?	Final exam Questions will be released before the examination.	45%	Formal exam period	2 hours	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Contribution	Reading notes Notes on readings, submitted weekly in 10 weeks of the semester.	10%	Multiple weeks	10 x 50 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Out-of-class quiz	Early Feedback Task Short online quiz #earlyfeedbacktask	0%	Week 03 Due date: 22 Aug 2025 at 23:59	n/a	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Essay Essay	45%	Week 08 Due date: 26 Sep 2025 at 23:59	2000 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= early feedback task ?

Early feedback task

This unit includes an early feedback task, designed to give you feedback prior to the census date for this unit. Details are provided in the Canvas site and your result will be recorded in your Marks page. It is important that you actively engage with this task so that the University can support you to be successful in this unit.

Assessment summary

For ten out of the twelve weeks of tutorials, you will be asked to submit a brief set of reading notes on the reading associated with the tutorial (typically, the previous week’s lectures). These notes can take the form of summaries, reflections and/or questions on the readings, and should be helpful to you when you prepare for the essay and the end-of-semester take-home test.
The essay is a research essay in which you will be asked to answer a question on some aspect(s) of the course, informed by significant secondary reading from works listed on the course bibliography.
The final, closed-book examination will consist of two essays on topics different from the one on which you wrote your previous essay. Questions will be released in advance so you have time to think about your answers. You will not be allowed to bring any materials into the examination. You must pass the examination in order to pass the course.

Assessment criteria

Reading notes need only to be submitted in order to be awarded full marks. The essay and the take-home test will be marked according to the criteria that appear on the question sheets, and in conformity to the standard criteria used in the English department.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

The standard late penalties will, unfortunately, apply.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	1. Introduction: background, figures, context	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 01	2. Before theory	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 02	3. Saussure (a)	Lecture (1 hr)
	4. Saussure (b)	Lecture (1 hr)
	Before Theory	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 03	5. Saussure (c)	Lecture (1 hr)
	6. Saussure (d)	Lecture (1 hr)
	Saussure	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 04	7. Marxist and Soviet theory (a)	Lecture (1 hr)
	8. Marxist and Soviet theory (b)	Lecture (1 hr)
	Saussure	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 05	9. Marxist and Soviet theory (c)	Lecture (1 hr)
	10. Structuralism and poststructuralism – background	Lecture (1 hr)
	Marxist and Soviet theory	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 06	11. Structuralism – phonology	Lecture (1 hr)
	12. Structuralism – myth and narrative	Lecture (1 hr)
	Marxist and Soviet Theory	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 07	13. Language, reason and the subject (a)	Lecture (1 hr)
	14. Language, reason and the subject (b)	Lecture (1 hr)
	Structuralism	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 08	15. Ideology, critique and the politics of theory (a)	Lecture (1 hr)
	16. Ideology, critique and the politics of theory (b)	Lecture (1 hr)
	Language, reason and the subject	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 09	17. Ideology, critique and the politics of theory (c)	Lecture (1 hr)
	18. Poststructuralism and meaning (a)	Lecture (1 hr)
	Ideology, critique and the politics of theory	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 10	19. Poststructuralism and meaning (b)	Lecture (1 hr)
	20. Poststructuralism and meaning (c)	Lecture (1 hr)
	Poststructuralism and meaning	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 11	21. Poststructuralism and meaning (d)	Lecture (1 hr)
	22. Poststructuralism and meaning (e)	Lecture (1 hr)
	Poststructuralism and meaning	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 12	23. Discourse and power (a)	Lecture (1 hr)
	24. Discourse and power (b)	Lecture (1 hr)
	Poststructuralism and meaning – Butler reading	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 13	25. Wittgenstein (a)	Lecture (1 hr)
	26. Wittgenstein (b)	Lecture (1 hr)
	Discourse and power	Tutorial (1 hr)

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

In the first third of the semester or so, we'll be looking at two texts which won't be available electronically:

Saussure, F. de. Course in General Linguistics (R. Harris, translator). Bloomsbury
Volosinov, V.N. Marxism and the Philosophy of Language. Harvard UP.

We’ll be discussing substantial sections of both texts in the first weeks of the course, so you’re going to need access to them. Neither will be available electronically through Canvas or the library. You have several options: photocopying the texts in their entirety; finding pdfs on the internet (possible for Volosinov: https://monoskop.org/images/8/86/Volosinov_VN_Marxism_and_the_Philosophy_of_Language.pdf) and, best, buying your own copies.

You can buy and order copies of both books from Gleebooks, 49 Glebe Pt Rd (the old Post office). Can I please encourage everyone to use Gleebooks, not Amazon? Amazon is an exploitative multinational involved in tax-avoidance, union-busting and the serious mistreatment of workers. Gleebooks is a local independent bookseller that has been an essential part of the cultural fabric of Sydney for generations. It deserves your support. They offer a 10% student discount.

Other readings
You should follow the 'Schedule of lectures and readings'. available on the course webpage. Readings for the semester other than the two textbooks will all be available electronically on the course webpage. For the second lecture of the first week, there's some reading from the English philosopher John Locke. It's up on the 'Reading List' section of the course Canvas page, so please make sure you've read it before the lecture on Thursday.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. demonstrate understanding of overarching trends in intellectual history which have shaped debate on textuality and meaning from the previous century on
LO2. demonstrate an understanding of the complexity of the semiotic, social and political dimensions of textuality
LO3. demonstrate an understanding of the ideological and political stakes of theoretical work on textuality
LO4. make effective written arguments about textuality and meaning
LO5. engage more confidently in undirected, spontaneous discussion on the themes of the unit

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Students are encouraged to provide feedback at all stages of the semester. The lecturer and tutors will be only too happy to discuss suggestions about how the course could be organised differently.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Early feedback task

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links