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Unit of study_

ENGL3712: Television Fictions

Semester 2, 2021 [Normal day] - Remote

This unit will consider how systems of meaning have been generated in TV narratives. It will address theoretical questions regarding production and authorship, but most of this unit will focus on how particular aesthetic forms underwrite the construction of television fictions across factual narratives (news, sport), drama, comedy and serials.

Unit details and rules

Unit code ENGL3712
Academic unit
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
ENGL2673
Prerequisites
? 
12 credit points at 2000 level in the English major
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Paul Giles, paul.giles@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Research Paper
Textual analysis of TV programmes including secondary reading.
60% Formal exam period
Due date: 22 Nov 2021 at 23:59
4000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Assignment Critical Response 1
Critical analysis of either sport or comedy on TV
10% Week 04
Due date: 30 Aug 2021 at 23:59
500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO1
Assignment Critical Response 2
Critical response to television drama
10% Week 07
Due date: 20 Sep 2021 at 23:59
500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO4 LO1 LO2
Assignment Critical Response 3
Critical response to TV documentary or reality TV
10% Week 09
Due date: 11 Oct 2021 at 23:59
500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO4 LO1 LO2
Assignment Critical Response 4
Critical response to serial TV
10% Week 12
Due date: 01 Nov 2021 at 23:59
500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO4 LO1 LO2

Assessment summary

For the critical responses, students should:

  • focus on a pertinent aspect of the text or texts (ii) engage with critical reading, where appropriate (iii) present original ideas and interpretations (iv) use appropriate examples (v) structure the argument effectively.

For the research paper, students should:

  • display breadth and depth of secondary research (ii) analyse the relevant texts with clarity and precision (iii) structure the argument effectively (iv) be fluent and correct in expression.

 

Assessment criteria

 

Assessment grading

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Sophisticated and original readings of both television texts and critical material. Work presented in a fluent and correct manner.

Distinction

75 - 84

Highly competent critical analysis and readings of TV textual material, with some elements of sophistication and/or originality. Presented in a largely correct manner

Credit

65 - 74

Diligent and effective analysis of critical readings and textual narratives on this unit of study. Work presented in a largely correct manner.

Pass

50 - 64

Acceptable level of engagement with critical readings and TV narratives. Written work presented to an acceptable standard.

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

 

For more information see guide to grades.

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.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

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.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes

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.

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.

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

  • LO1. Enhance expertise in current approaches to literary and cultural study
  • LO2. Enhance critical thinking, oral and written communication and information literacy
  • LO3. Develop cultural competence by working collaboratively across cultural boundaries
  • LO4. Enhance interdisciplinary knowledge and effectiveness through working with narratives across different genres and media
  • LO5. Consolidate a sense of social responsibility through considering the role television plays in the wider national and international community

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
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

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

When this unit of study was first offered at 2000-level in semester 2 2019, student feedback asked for fewer lectures and more seminar discussion. This unit has consequently been changed to a 3000-level unit based on a seminar format.

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.