Literary Theory (ENGL40010)
HonoursPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
Overview
| Availability | Semester 1 |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
This subject examines contemporary and historical practices of literary criticism and theory. When critics write about texts or performances, what do they write about and why? How do they understand the object of critical attention? How do they understand their relation to that object? What questions do they think are worth asking of a literary work, and what questions appear as irrelevant or uninteresting? Responses to these kinds of questions have changed radically over the history of literary criticism and between different schools of critical thought. This subject will try to illuminate specific formations of critical practice. In some semesters, we might focus on specific literary theoretical problems: the theory of the novel, the theory of the lyric. In others, we might focus on different critical schools: queer theory, black studies, the Frankfurt school, psychoanalysis. Or we might focus on the work of a single thinker: Saidiya Hartman, Roland Barthes. In each instance, the goal will be to set basic questions of literary theory and performance studies in motion again.
Intended learning outcomes
On successful completion of this subject, students should have:
- An understanding of literary theory as it has developed since Antiquity
- An understanding of current debates in literary theory
- A familiarity with a range of literary-critical, cultural-historical and theoretical approaches to literature and performance.
Generic skills
At the completion of this subject, students should gain generic skills in:
- Research through competent use of library, and other (including online) information sources; through the successful definition of areas of inquiry and methods of research
- Critical thinking and analysis through use of recommended reading, essay writing and tutorial discussion; through the questioning of accepted wisdom and the ability to shape and strengthen persuasive judgments and arguments; through attention to detail in reading material; and through openness to new ideas and the development of critical self-awareness
- Theoretical thinking through use of recommended reading, essay writing and tutorial discussion; through a productive engagement with relevant methodologies and paradigms in literary studies and the broader humanities
- Creative thinking through essay writing and tutorial discussion; through the innovative conceptualising of problems and an appreciation of the role of creativity in critical analysis
- Social, ethical and cultural understanding through use of recommended reading, essay writing and tutorial discussion; through the social contextualisation of arguments and judgments through adaptations of knowledge to new situations and openness to new ideas; through the development of critical self-awareness in relation to an understanding of other cultures and practices
- Intelligent and effective communication of knowledge and ideas through essay preparation, planning and writing as well as tutorial discussion; through effective dissemination of ideas from recommended reading and other relevant information sources; through clear definition of areas of inquiry and methods of research. through confidence to express ideas in public forums
- Time management and planning through the successful organization of workloads. through disciplined self-direction and the ability to meet deadlines.
Last updated: 4 March 2025
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: 4 March 2025
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
An essay, due near the middle of semester.
| Mid semester | 20% |
An essay
| During the examination period | 80% |
| Hurdle requirement: 1. Attendance hurdle requirement: This subject has a minimum requirement of 80% attendance at tutorials, seminars, or workshops. There is an expectation that students attend lectures. | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
| Hurdle requirement: 2. Late Penalty and Assessment hurdle requirement: Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at five per cent (5%) of the possible marks available for the assessment task per day or part thereof. All pieces of assessment must be submitted to pass the subject. Each submitted assessment must be complete, constitute a genuine attempt to address the requirements of the task and will not be accepted after 20 University business days from the original assessment due date without written approval. | Throughout the semester | N/A |
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Coordinator Joe Hughes Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours Total 24 hours: a 2-hour seminar for 12 weeks Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 3 March 2025 to 1 June 2025 Last self-enrol date 14 March 2025 Census date 31 March 2025 Last date to withdraw without fail 9 May 2025 Assessment period ends 27 June 2025 Semester 1 contact information
Time commitment details
170 hours
What do these dates mean
Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:
- Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
- And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
- Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Further information
- Texts
- Subject notes
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Graduate Certificate in Arts (Advanced) Course Bachelor of Arts (Degree with Honours) Course Graduate Diploma in Arts (Advanced) - 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: 4 March 2025