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The Australian Imaginary (ENGL20009)
Undergraduate level 2Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
Overview
Availability | Semester 1 |
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The sense of national literature formed quite soon in colonial Australia, which saw a remarkable level of literary activity across a range of genres. This subject looks at what a national literature means, and how it makes itself significant to the nation and beyond. It will think about colonialism and colonial writing in Australia, modes of Australian social realism, the emergence of an Australian modernism, ways of representing region, suburb and city, postcolonialism in Australia, 'multicultural' writing, and Indigenous literature. The focus is on the novel, short stories, poetry and genres such as romance and the Gothic.
Intended learning outcomes
On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:
- demonstrate a detailed knowledge and understanding of representative examples of Australian literature;
- articulate the relationship between selected Australian literary works and the social, historical and cultural contexts that produced them;
- apply high-level analysis, conceptual sophistication and critical thinking to the study of Australia literature and the debates it has provoked;
- contribute to the understanding of Australian literature in ways that engage the interests of the discipline of literary studies;
- communicate effectively an understanding of Australian literature and its contexts in both written and oral formats; and
- have gained an understanding of how to act as critically informed participants within a community of literature scholars, as citizens and in the work force at large.
Generic skills
At the completion of this subject, students should gain the following genric skills:
- be able to apply new research skills and critical methods to a field of inquiry;
- develop critical self-awareness and the capacity to shape and strengthen persuasive arguments; and
- communicate arguments and ideas effectively and articulately, both in writing and to others.
Last updated: 9 February 2025