This course examines questions of how literary texts are produced and read. It introduces students to the back story of literary works, examining how they come to take their eventual form on the page or stage, and what happens to them once they are made. It asks: what forces shape literary works, including their material or embodied forms and their ability to travel? How do we trace the afterlife of literary texts in their histories of readership, audience, reception and influence? Students will encounter a range of theories and methodologies for the study of production and reception which may include: book history, reception theory, the sociology of the book, publishing studies, and histories of reading, authorship and performance.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- evaluate and apply a range of methodological approaches in the examination of the production and/or reception of a literary work;
- demonstrate familiarity with theories of literary production and reception; and
- evaluate the historical and cultural contexts that shape literary production and reception.
Indicative Assessment
- (2000 word) essay or creative equivalent (45) [LO 1,2,3]
- (2000 word) essay or creative equivalent (45) [LO 1,2,3]
- In-class activities (10) [LO 1]
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
130 hours of total student learning time made up from: a) 36 hours of contact over 12 weeks: 24 hours of lectures and 12 hours of tutorials; b) 94 hours of independent student research, reading and writing.
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
Details to be provided on Wattle
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you 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). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 1
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found 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 |
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.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
First Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3540 | 23 Feb 2026 | 02 Mar 2026 | 31 Mar 2026 | 29 May 2026 | In Person | N/A |
