James Cook University Subject Handbook - 2001

EL2020:04

*NOTE* Australian Literature

Cairns

Prerequisites: At least 6 units of EL subjects which must include 3 units of literature subjects
Inadmissable Subject Combination: EL3020

26 lectures, 13 tutorials. First semester.

Staff: Dr S Torre.

A detailed study of selected poetry, prose and drama focusing on a range of Australian social, historical and cultural issues. The subject examines how Australian writers and writing have conceptualised and polemicised such topics as crime and punishment, identity and race, religion and spirituality, nature and environment, the past and the future, art and culture.

Learning Objectives:

  1. to broaden and intensify the literary-critical skills and understanding attained by students at earlier levels, particularly where essay-writing and extra-literary issues are concerned;
  2. to attain a comprehensive understanding of the set texts;
  3. to develop a broad knowledge of Australian literary history and literary movements;
  4. to achieve a broad knowledge of how various social, historical and literary issues have been addressed by Australian writers;
  5. to acquire a grounding in the methodologies and critical practices to be found in Australian literary studies.

Assessment by participation in discussion (20%); one assignment of 1,500 words (30%); either one essay of 3,000 words or an examination (50%).