Introduction to European Critical Theory (EURO40001)
HonoursPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
For information about the University’s phased return to campus and in-person activity in Winter and Semester 2, please refer to the on-campus subjects page.
Please refer to the LMS for up-to-date subject information, including assessment and participation requirements, for subjects being offered in 2020.
Overview
| Availability | Semester 2 |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
This subject provides an introduction to the central topics and problems raised in European Critical Theory in the period from 1968-2000. It aims not merely to introduce the concepts, but to demonstrate how these concepts can be operationalised in methods of analysis. The topics to be considered will include, amongst others: the author, text/context/frame, formal methods and materialist/historical concerns, discourse, the reader, the subject deconstruction. Theorists contributing to our understanding of these topics will include: Barthes, Derrida, Foucault, Benjamin, Kristeva, Spivak.
Intended learning outcomes
On successful completion of this subject, students should:
- have learned how to read theoretical writing;
- have learned how any particular theoretical orientation allows us to ask questions that we would not ask otherwise;
- have learned that a 'theory' is not merely a set of ideas, but a technical instrument for analysing language-based cultural objects such as literature;
- have learned how to engage in such analyses and to evaluate their outcomes.
Generic skills
At the completion of this subject, students should:
- be able to apply certain methods of criticism on literary texts taken from a range of genres;
- be able to elaborate their own research project, applying literary criticism to a work of their choice.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Assessment
Due to the impact of COVID-19, assessment may differ from that published in the Handbook. Students are reminded to check the subject assessment requirements published in the subject outline on the LMS
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
An essay
| 1 Weeks after the end of teaching | 70% |
Brief presentations on key issues for discussion due at regular intervals during the semester with written versions due one week after presentation
| Throughout the teaching period | 30% |
| Hurdle requirement: Students must attend a minimum of 75% of tutorials in order to pass this subject. All pieces of work must be submitted to pass this subject. | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
Additional details
Note: Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% per day. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
- Semester 2
Principal coordinator Alison Lewis Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 24 hours: 1 x 2 hour seminar per week. Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 3 August 2020 to 1 November 2020 Last self-enrol date 14 August 2020 Census date 21 September 2020 Last date to withdraw without fail 16 October 2020 Assessment period ends 27 November 2020 Semester 2 contact information
Time commitment details
170 hours
Additional delivery details
European Studies students wishing to enrol in this subject would normally have completed 37.5 points of second/third-year European Studies.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Specialisation (formal) German Specialisation (formal) Italian Specialisation (formal) Russian Studies Specialisation (formal) French Specialisation (formal) Italian Studies Specialisation (formal) German Studies Informal specialisation PD-ARTS Italian Informal specialisation PD-ARTS French Informal specialisation PD-ARTS German Specialisation (formal) French Studies Specialisation (formal) Spanish and Latin American Studies - Links to additional information
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Please note Single Subject Studies via Community Access Program is not available to student visa holders or applicants
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Additional information for this subject
Subject coordinator approval required
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
Last updated: 3 November 2022