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Unit of study_

ENGL6100: Approaches to Literary History

Intensive July, 2021 [Block mode] - Remote

This is a core unit for the Master of English Studies. How do literary texts relate to history? When we divide time into different periods ("Renaissance" "Romantic" "Modernist" etc.), what are the implications for interpretation? Focusing on one or two literary periods, this core unit for the Master of English Studies introduces students to historicist literary criticism, developing skills in relating literature to historical context. We read key texts from the designated period(s), conduct research into appropriate archives (including online databases), and identify the theoretical questions that underpin those investigations.

Unit details and rules

Unit code ENGL6100
Academic unit
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Lucas Thompson, lucas.thompson@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Lucas Thompson, lucas.thompson@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Critical Assessment
n/a
25% -
Due date: 25 Jun 2021 at 14:56

Closing date: 26 Aug 2021
1,500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2
Assignment Archival Task
n/a
25% -
Due date: 09 Jul 2021 at 15:00

Closing date: 11 Aug 2021
2,000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2
Assignment Essay
n/a
50% -
Due date: 21 Jul 2021 at 11:17

Closing date: 26 Aug 2021
2,500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

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

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

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
Mid-semester break Seminar 1: Introduction, and Macbeth and History Block teaching (3 hr) LO1 LO2
Seminar 2: Macbeth and History Block teaching (3 hr) LO1 LO2
Seminar 3: Literary History and the Reception of Shakespeare Block teaching (3 hr) LO1 LO2
Seminar 4: Historical and Non-Historical Perspectives on Macbeth Block teaching (3 hr) LO1 LO2
Seminar 5: Orlando and Literary History Block teaching (3 hr) LO1 LO2
Seminar 6: Orlando and the Reception of Woolf Block teaching (3 hr) LO1 LO2
Seminar 7: Orlando and the History of Literary Theory Block teaching (3 hr) LO1 LO2
Seminar 8: Literary/History Theory Part 1 Block teaching (3 hr) LO1 LO2
Seminar 9: Literary/History Theory Part 2 Block teaching (3 hr) LO1 LO2
Seminar 10: Gilead and History Block teaching (3 hr) LO1 LO2
Seminar 11: Gilead and Literary History Block teaching (3 hr) LO1 LO2
Seminar 12: Gilead, History and Conclusions Block teaching (3 hr) LO1 LO2

Attendance and class requirements

ATTENDANCE

In accordance with Faculty policy - http://sydney.edu.au/arts/current_students/policies.shtml - the Department of English policy on attendance is as follows:

  • Students who miss 20% of classes without written evidence of illness or misadventure could be referred to the departmental examiners’ meeting.

  • Students who miss 50% or more of classes will be referred to the departmental examiners’ meeting.

  • Referral to the departmental examiners’ meeting may result either in a reduction in the final mark for the unit or in a grade of Absent Fail.

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

See Canvas for all readings

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. understand the theoretical problems involved in thinking about the relation between literary texts and historical contexts
  • LO2. demonstrate a deepened familiarity with Shakespeare's Macbeth, Woolf's Orlando, Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four and Byatt's Possession: A Romance

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.

The content of this year's iteration was modified in response to feedback from last year's students

See Canvas for all other information on the unit

Work, health and safety

n/a

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.