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 pervaded 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:

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; and
4. develop their own skills of literary critical analysis.

Required Resources

Required Reading. The Set Texts

Prescribed texts:

These set texts are available from the ANU Harry Hartog bookshop. Copies of the set texts are also available in the ANU library.

1.   H. Rider Haggard, King Solomon’s Mines, ed. Robert Hampson, Penguin Classics (London: Penguin, 2007) or King Solomon’s Mines, ed. by Roger Luckhurst, Oxford World’s Classics (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2016)

2.   Joseph Conrad, Heart of Darkness and Other Tales, ed. Cedric Watts, Oxford World’s Classics (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2002 and reissued)

3.   H. G. Wells, The Time Machine, ed. Patrick Parrinder, intro. Marina Warner, notes Steven McLean, Penguin Classics (London: Penguin, 2005)

4.   H. G. Wells, The War of the Worlds, ed. Patrick Parrinder, intro Brian Aldiss, notes Andy Sawyer, Penguin Classics (London: Penguin, 2005)

5.   Bram Stoker, Dracula, ed. Roger Luckhurst, Oxford World’s Classics (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2011)

6.   Evelyn Waugh, Decline and Fall (London, Penguin, 1937, reprinted)

7.   George Orwell, texts of two essays and a pamphlet provided on the course Wattle site

8.   Louis-Ferdinand Céline, Journey to the End of the Night, trans. Ralph Manheim (New York: New Directions, 1983)

 

PLEASE NOTE: Details of weekly readings for tutorials, a supplementary list of recommended reading, a list of resource guides (print and online), and a list of key terms are available under ‘Further Information and Essay Questions’ on the course Wattle site.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• summary verbal feedback on Task 1 to the whole class in lectures and tutorials
• written comments on work submitted for Task 1 and Task 2

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Lecture: Introduction and Administration Tutorial: No tutorial
2	Lecture: H. R. Haggard, King Solomon’s Mines Tutorial: King Solomon’s Mines
3	Lecture: Joseph Conrad, Heart of Darkness Tutorial: Heart of Darkness
4	Lecture: Joseph Conrad, Heart of Darkness & other Tales Tutorial: Heart of Darkness
5	Lecture: H. G. Wells, The Time Machine Tutorial: The Time Machine
6	Lecture: H. G. Wells, The War of the Worlds Tutorial: The War of the Worlds	First essay due Monday 4 April
7	Lecture: Bram Stoker, Dracula Tutorial: Dracula
8	Lecture: Evelyn Waugh, Decline and Fall Tutorial: Decline and Fall
9	Lecture: George Orwell, ‘Shooting an Elephant’, ‘Politics and the English Language’, ‘Second Thoughts on James Burnham’ Tutorial: the set two essays and pamphlet
10	Lecture: L-F Céline, Journey to the End of the Night Tutorial: Journey to the End of the Night
11	Lecture: L-F Céline, Journey to the End of the Night Tutorial: Journey to the End of the Night
12	Conclusion. Why read Haggard, Conrad, Wells, Stoker, Orwell, Waugh, and Céline today?	Second essay due on Monday 30 May

Tutorial Registration

Sign up for tutorials on Wattle. There will be a limit to the number of students per in-person group.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Essay 1	50 %	04/04/2022	22/04/2022	1, 2, 3, 4
Essay 2	50 %	30/05/2022	20/06/2022	1, 2, 3, 4

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using 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. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website Students may choose not to submit assessment items through Turnitin. In this instance you will be required to submit, alongside the assessment item itself, hard copies of all references included in the assessment item.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Assessment Task 1

Essay 1

2500 word essay due 4 April 2022

Questions and rubric will be available on Wattle site

50%

Assessment Task 2

Essay 2

2500 word essay due 30 May 2022

Questions and rubric will be available on Wattle site

50%

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of our culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically. This means that all members of the community commit to honest and responsible scholarly practice and to upholding these values with respect and fairness. The Australian National University commits to embedding the values of academic integrity in our teaching and learning. We ensure that all members of our community understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with. The University has policies and procedures in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Visit the following Academic honesty & plagiarism website for more information about academic integrity and what the ANU considers academic misconduct. The ANU offers a number of services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. The Academic Skills and Learning Centre offers a number of workshops and seminars that you may find useful for your studies.

Online Submission

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.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure.

The Course Convener may grant extensions for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request it in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5 marks per working day or part thereof. Late essays will receive a mark but no comments.

Referencing Requirements

Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.

Returning Assignments

Via Turnitin on the Wattle site or from the tutor in class

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure The Course Convener may grant extensions for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Resubmission of Assignments

Students will not be permitted to resubmit essays

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information. In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service — including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy. If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes. Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Diversity and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students