Year
2020
Units
4.5
Contact
1 x 2-hour lecture weekly
1 x 50-minute tutorial weekly
Enrolment not permitted
1 of ENGL1007, ENGL1007A has been successfully completed
Assessment
Short answer assignments; Essays.
Topic description
This topic will introduce students to the various methods and skills used to read and interpret literary texts. As a topic designed to offer a practical grounding in literary criticism and interpretation, it will expose students to strategies designed to assist reading on a small scale--or close reading-such as the literal and figurative uses of language, form, poetic meter and devices. It will also consider broader concepts that inform large scale interpretation, such as genre, narrative, intertextuality, history and critical theory. In doing so, students will be exposed to a range of poetic and fictional styles-including the lyric, allegory, satire, parody-from a wide spectrum of English literary history, providing a comprehensive platform for further literary studies.
Educational aims
This topic aims to:

  • introduce students to a range of interpretative strategies;
  • introduce students to a range of genres and writing styles;
  • assist students to bridge the gap between secondary-level English Studies and university English;
  • develop students critical reading/thinking skills;
  • develop students critical writing/analysing skills;
  • encourage self-directed, independent learning.
Expected learning outcomes
On completion of this topic students will have:

  • developed a capacity to apply a variety of interpretative strategies to a variety of texts;
  • be able to articulate key concepts in literary studies;
  • be able to use key resources for literary studies;
  • developed a capacity to draw meaningful connections between primary texts and secondary sources;
  • developed the basic skills required for critical reading and academic writing with a view to further studies in the Literature and Creative Majors.