This course examines eighteenth and nineteenth-century literature in the context of Western, and especially British imperialism. Questions we will ask include: what is empire and how does it shape literature? How does the work produced in the centre of empire imagine colonial spaces, and how does writing at the peripheries speak back to empire? How can literature question, and how can it shore up imperialist ideas? How does eighteenth and nineteenth-century literature respond to the atrocities of slavery? How does it treat First Nations' sovereignty? How do the legacies and structures of empire continue today? We will read work by canonical and marginalised authors alongside theoretical work on empire by critics such as Edward Said and Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak. Students will gain skills in postcolonial methods, learn to read empire in literature, and gain knowledge about the history of imperialism and of abolitionist and decolonial movements.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- critically apply knowledge concerning the historical and cultural contexts to the literature of this period;
- learn and critically apply postcolonial theoretical methods;
- speak and write analytically about literary texts in the context of British and European imperialism with reference to postcolonial and decolonial theory; and
- respectfully participate in a critical community and collaborate with peers in order to develop their skills of literary critical analysis.
Indicative Assessment
- 2500 word essay/creative task (40) [LO 1,2,3]
- Tutorial Participation (10) [LO 1,2,3,4]
- Final assessment preparation task (500 words) (20) [LO 1,2,3]
- First task (1500 words) (30) [LO 1,2,3]
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: 24 hours of seminars and 12 hours of tutorials.
b) 94 hours of independent student research, reading and writing.
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
Details of prescribed texts will be available on Wattle.
Assumed Knowledge
The knowledge and skills acquired from completing two English courses successfully. It is recommended that students have completed 12 units of first year English.
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.