Handbook home
Introduction to European Critical Theory (EURO40001)
HonoursPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable (login required)(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 2
Professor Birgit Lang
Professor Alfredo Martinez-Exposito
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 1945-present. 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. Critical paradigms and schools of thought explored include Marxism, Psychoanalysis, Deconstruction, Queer Theory, Frankfurt School of Critical Theory, French Feminism.
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: 31 January 2024
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: 31 January 2024
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Brief presentation(s) 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% |
A piece of written work applying theoretical concepts to the analysis of a cultural object
| Mid semester | 20% |
An essay
| During the examination period | 50% |
| Hurdle requirement: 1. Attendance hurdle requirement: This subject has a minimum requirement of 80% attendance at tutorials, seminars, or workshops. | 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: 31 January 2024
Dates & times
- Semester 2
Coordinators Birgit Lang and Alfredo Martinez-Exposito Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 24 hours: 1 x 2 hour seminar per week. Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 22 July 2024 to 20 October 2024 Last self-enrol date 2 August 2024 Census date 2 September 2024 Last date to withdraw without fail 20 September 2024 Assessment period ends 15 November 2024 Semester 2 contact information
Professor Birgit Lang
Professor Alfredo Martinez-Exposito
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.
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: 31 January 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
A subject reader will be made available
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Graduate Diploma in Arts (Advanced) Course Bachelor of Arts (Degree with Honours) - 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.
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
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 31 January 2024