Skip to main content
Unit of study_

ICLS1002: Foundations of Comparative Literature

This unit will provide students with foundational knowledge of the major theoretical approaches in the fields of international comparative literature, literary theory, postcolonial studies, and translation studies. Students will learn about the way in which literary representation is informed by, and in turn informs, international relations and cross-cultural negotiations.

Details

Academic unit International Comparative Literature and Translation Studies
Unit code ICLS1002
Unit name Foundations of Comparative Literature
Session, year
? 
Semester 1, 2022
Attendance mode Normal day
Location Remote
Credit points 6

Enrolment rules

Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff and contact details

Coordinator Benjamin Nickl, benjamin.nickl@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Brangwen Stone , brangwen.stone@sydney.edu.au
Benjamin Nickl, benjamin.nickl@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Presentation Oral presentation
n/a
10% - 1000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Assignment Final essay
n/a
40% Formal exam period 2000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Small test Test 1
n/a
15% Week 06 1000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Essay brainstorming exercise
n/a
20% Week 08 1000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Small test Test 2
n/a
15% Week 10 1000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO2

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

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

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.

Special consideration

If you experience short-term circumstances beyond your control, such as illness, injury or misadventure or if you have essential commitments which impact your preparation or performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic honesty, academic dishonesty, 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 dishonesty or plagiarism seriously.

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

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes

Attendance and class requirements

  • Attendance: According to Faculty Board Resolutions, students in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences are expected to attend 90% of their classes. If you attend less than 50% of classes, regardless of the reasons, you may be referred to the Examiner’s Board. The Examiner’s Board will decide whether you should pass or fail the unit of study if your attendance falls below this threshold.

  • Lecture recording: Most lectures (in recording-equipped venues) will be recorded and may be made available to students on the LMS. However, you should not rely on lecture recording to substitute your classroom learning experience.

  • Preparation: Students should commit to spend approximately three hours’ preparation time (reading, studying, homework, essays, etc.) for every hour of scheduled instruction.

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

all readings will be available via Canvas/Leganto

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. acquire knowledge about world literatures and their social and cultural dimension
  • LO2. learn about issues of translation and cross-cultural adaptation of literary texts
  • LO3. become familiar with the major theoretical approaches in the fields of comparative literature, literary theory, postcolonial studies, and translation studies, and be able reflect on their interconnections
  • LO4. acquire analytical and critical competence on different types of texts and media in different national literatures/cultures
  • LO5. demonstrate basic skills in oral and written presentation.
  • LO6. Gain familiarity with the foundations of the disciplines of Comparative Literature and Translation Studies

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
the unit schedule and content structure and assessment dates have been revised to allow for more in-depth coverage of select topics related to translation and comparative literature. more details available on Canvas

if you have specific learning requirements, please feel free to email the coordinator

Additional costs

no additional costs for this unit

Site visit guidelines

none

Work, health and safety

no specific requirements

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.