• Offered by School of Literature, Languages and Linguistics
  • ANU College ANU College of Arts and Social Sciences
  • Course subject English
  • Areas of interest English
  • Academic career UGRD
  • Course convener
    • Dr Ian Higgins
  • Mode of delivery In Person
  • Offered in Second Semester 2014
    See Future Offerings

This course examines some landmarks in the literary history of late 19th and early 20th century imperialism. The focus is on novels of the British Empire, although a French novel in English translation will also be studied. The course involves the analysis of literary works and investigation of germane contexts (political, social, literary etc). Particular attention will be paid to issues of race relations, gender and class generated by the texts. The course will explore some significant metropolitan works that are striated by empire and its discontents. The set texts include novels by H. Rider Haggard, Joseph Conrad, H.G. Wells, Bram Stoker, Evelyn Waugh, and Louis-Ferdinand Céline. Genres studied include: adventure romance, scientific romance, imperial gothic, terrorist novel, satiric fiction, and the essay.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

Upon successful completion of the course students will be able to:
  1. Apply knowledge of the historical and cultural contexts of the literature of this period to some major authors, works and genres
  2. Identify key elements that are distinctive to the literary achievement of some landmark writers in the literary history of the British empire
  3. Reflect and write analytically about literary texts in the context of British imperialism
  4. Develop their own skills of literary critical analysis.

Indicative Assessment

Written assignments totalling 4,000 words. Normally one critical essay due in mid-semester and one critical essay due at the end of semester.

The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.

Workload

One Lecture per week (20 hours of lectures in total in the semester) and one 1 hour tutorial per week.

Requisite and Incompatibility

To enrol in this course you must have completed 12 units of ENGL courses. Or take permission from the convenor.

Prescribed Texts

H. Rider Haggard, King Solomon's Mines (Oxford World's Classics)

H. Rider Haggard, She (Oxford World's Classics)

J. Conrad, Heart of Darkness and Other Tales (Oxford World's Classics)

H.G. Wells, The Time Machine (Penguin Classics)

Bram Stoker, Dracula (Oxford World's Classics)

J. Conrad, The Secret Agent (Oxford World's Classics)

E. Waugh, Decline and Fall (Penguin)

E. Waugh, Black Mischief (Penguin)

L-F Celine, Journey to the End of the Night (New Directions)

Preliminary Reading

* Haggard, H. Rider, King Solomon's Mines
* Haggard, H. Rider, She
* Conrad, J, Heart of Darkness

Assumed Knowledge

The knowledge and skills acquired from completing two English courses successfully.

Majors

Minors

Fees

Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.  

If you are a domestic graduate coursework or international student you will be required to pay tuition fees. Students continuing in their current program of study will have their tuition fees indexed annually from the year in which you commenced your program. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.

Student Contribution Band:
1
Unit value:
6 units

If you are an undergraduate student and have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). You can find your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.  Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.

Units EFTSL
6.00 0.12500
Domestic fee paying students
Year Fee Description
1994-2003 $1164
2014 $2478
2013 $2472
2012 $2472
2011 $2424
2010 $2358
2009 $2286
2008 $2286
2007 $2286
2006 $2286
2005 $2286
2004 $1926
International fee paying students
Year Fee
1994-2003 $2574
2014 $3246
2013 $3240
2012 $3240
2011 $3240
2010 $3240
2009 $3240
2008 $3240
2007 $3132
2006 $3132
2005 $3132
2004 $2916
Note: Please note that fee information is for current year only.

Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links

ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.

The list of offerings for future years is indicative only.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.

Second Semester

Class number Class start date Last day to enrol Census date Class end date Mode Of Delivery Class Summary
8808 21 Jul 2014 01 Aug 2014 31 Aug 2014 30 Oct 2014 In Person N/A

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