This interdisciplinary course will focus on novels, plays and other publications by canonical authors such as Jane Austen, Jonathan Swift, Virginia Woolf and William Shakespeare or newly canonical writers like Ian McEwan, Zadie Smith and Sarah Waters. Usually focused on one author, the course provides the opportunity to delve deeply into the life, works and sociohistorical contexts of a writer deemed 'great', as well as the opportunity to interrogate the construction of the concept of a 'great writer' itself. Each text will provide a starting point from which we will explore the representation of broad themes of historical and literary significance relating to the texts' historical and literary contexts. The course will examine the ways in which knowledge of the periods in which authors wrote enriches our understanding of their work and how texts in turn participate in certain crucial debates and developments of the period in which they are published or produced. The course will engage with questions of gender in texts' production and reception.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- apply understanding of the historical contexts of an author's work to specific texts by significant authors;
- identify key elements that are distinctive in authors' narrative style and artistic achievement;
- reflect, discuss and write analytically about what an author's texts tell us about the society of their time; and
- critically evaluate ideas of canon formation and 'great writers'.
Indicative Assessment
- (2500 word) Essay (45) [LO 1,2,3,4]
- (2500 word) Essay (45) [LO 1,2,3,4]
- In-class analysis (10) [LO 1,2,3,4]
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 lectures and 12 hours of tutorials.
b) 94 hours of independent student research, reading and writing.
Inherent Requirements
Not applicable
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
Prescribed texts will be listed according to the authors studied in the course.
Preliminary Reading
Supplemental readings will be provide 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 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2024 | $4080 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2024 | $6000 |
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.
Second Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9360 | 22 Jul 2024 | 29 Jul 2024 | 31 Aug 2024 | 25 Oct 2024 | In Person | N/A |
