Overview
This unit invites students to explore a selection of novels by a number of significant writers from the twentieth century and from a range of national literatures. These novels address a range of issues including post-colonialism, the transition from the psyche to psychology, sexuality, the American Jazz age, Southern post-bellum agonistics, gender, magic realism, existentialism, slavery, racism, the holocaust and identity. The unit also charts the passage from modernism to post-modernism.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Nil
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 1 - 2021
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes – in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of 'pass' in order to pass the unit. If any 'pass/fail' tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully ('pass' grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the 'assessment task' section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback - Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from Student evaluations
Student comment: 'This unit allowed me to enjoy the great works of literature chosen for this course without having to recreate and turn them into something not intended by the authors. It was a great opportunity to really pursue the novels as they were meant to be. I also really enjoyed the fortnightly tutorials as they were such a comfortable space to discuss each other's opinions on the novels and their content'.
Continue with the current learning design.
Feedback from Student evaluations
Adding a few more question options for the last assessment piece would be good.
Some new and extra essay options are in development for 2021.
Feedback from Student evaluations
Rather than having more analysis assignments can there be others such as creating an ending for a book or something similar.
There is potential for developing this kind of Assessment Item as creativity and criticism are certainly two sides of the same coin.
- analyse and compare selected modern novels within a framework of issues such as ideology, gender, race and the politics of literature;
- articulate the evolution of the novel from socio/moral/expressive realism through modernism and post-modernism; and,
- interpret, analyse and evaluate complex literary texts.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | ||
---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 | 3 | |
1 - Written Assessment - 20% | |||
2 - Written Assessment - 40% | |||
3 - Written Assessment - 40% |
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | ||
---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 | 3 | |
1 - Communication | |||
2 - Problem Solving | |||
3 - Critical Thinking | |||
4 - Information Literacy | |||
5 - Team Work | |||
6 - Information Technology Competence | |||
7 - Cross Cultural Competence | |||
8 - Ethical practice | |||
9 - Social Innovation | |||
10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures |
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes
Assessment Tasks | Graduate Attributes | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | |
1 - Written Assessment - 20% | ||||||||||
2 - Written Assessment - 40% | ||||||||||
3 - Written Assessment - 40% |
Textbooks
There are no required textbooks.
Additional Textbook Information
Additional Textbook Information
Students will need to have access to at least four (4) of the following novels of their choice, which may be available from the CQUni Bookshop here: http://bookshop.cqu.edu.au (search on the Unit code), second-hand bookstores, or online through providers like Amazon or Booktopia.
- Joseph Conrad: Heart of darkness (1899)
- Thomas Mann: Death in Venice (1912)
- F Scott Fitzgerald: The great Gatsby (1925)
- Ernest Hemingway: The sun also rises (1926)
- Virginia Woolf: To the lighthouse (1927)
- William Faulkner: As I lay dying (1930)
- Albert Camus: The outsider (1942)
- Sylvia Plath: The bell jar (1963)
- Gabriel Garcia Marquez: 100 years of Solitude (1967)
- Margaret Atwood: The Handmaid’s tale (1985)
- Toni Morrison: Beloved (1987)
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- Zoom app on your smart phone or access to Zoom on your laptop
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Harvard (author-date)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
l.dodd@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Topic 1: Introduction to the Modern Novel and Textual Analysis
This unit is designed for self-guided study. The schedule is provided as a guide as to what you should aim to achieve each week to complete the unit successfully, but you may work ahead at your own pace.
There will be a drop-in Zoom session scheduled this week for you to ask any questions. Check the Virtual Classes tile for time/date.
Chapter
There is no set textbook. Refer to the Moodle site and e-Reading List for set readings throughout.
Events and Submissions/Topic
i. Complete the readings and activities in the Topic 1 section Introduction to the Modern Novel and Textual Analysis.
ii. Read and become familiar with the assessment items and due dates in the Assessment tile.
iii. Make your four (4) novel selections from the Text List and secure copies of the texts (referred to as Novel 1-4).
iv. You may like to begin reading Novel 1 (refer to Week 2 below).
Module/Topic
Topic section for Novel 1
Chapter
There is no set textbook. Refer to the Moodle site and e-Reading List for set readings throughout.
Events and Submissions/Topic
i. Read Novel 1 to gain an overall sense of story/themes/characters.
ii. Conduct a second close reading of Novel 1, compiling notes using the template for Assessment 1.
Module/Topic
Topic section for Novel 1
Chapter
There is no set textbook. Refer to the Moodle site and e-Reading List for set readings throughout.
Events and Submissions/Topic
i. In the Topic section for Novel 1, complete the readings and activities in the 'Learning Materials' section.
ii. Complete the Week 3 Portfolio activity and post to the Week 3 blog by Sunday to receive feedback.
Module/Topic
Topic section for Novel 1
Chapter
There is no set textbook. Refer to the Moodle site and e-Reading List for set readings throughout.
Events and Submissions/Topic
i. In the Topic section for Novel 1, complete the readings and activities in the 'Learning Activities' section.
ii. Complete the Week 4 Portfolio activity and post to the Week 4 blog by Sunday to receive feedback.
Module/Topic
Topic section for Novel 1
Chapter
There is no set textbook. Refer to the Moodle site and e-Reading List for set readings throughout.
Events and Submissions/Topic
i. Complete the Week 5 Portfolio activity.
ii. Revise your Portfolio activities based on feedback received, then collate your Portfolio and submit to Moodle by Friday.
Assessment 1 - Portfolio Due: Week 5 Friday (9 Apr 2021) 11:55 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
You might like to use this week to get ahead in your reading.
Module/Topic
Topic section for Novel 2
Chapter
There is no set textbook. Refer to the Moodle site and e-Reading List for set readings throughout.
Events and Submissions/Topic
i. Read Novel 2 to gain an overall sense of story/themes/characters.
ii. Conduct a second close reading of Novel 2, compiling notes for Assessment 2.
Module/Topic
Topic section for Novel 2
There will be a drop-in Zoom session scheduled this week for you to ask any questions about Assessment 2. Check the Virtual Classes tile for time/date.
Chapter
There is no set textbook. Refer to the Moodle site and e-Reading List for set readings throughout.
Events and Submissions/Topic
i. In the Topic section for Novel 2, complete the readings and activities.
ii. Begin Assessment 2 - Book Review.
Module/Topic
Topic section for Novel 2 and Novel 3
Chapter
There is no set textbook. Refer to the Moodle site and e-Reading List for set readings throughout.
Events and Submissions/Topic
i. Complete and submit Assessment 2 - Book Review by Friday.
ii. Begin reading Novel 3 and compiling notes for Assessment 3.
Assessment 2 - Book Review Due: Week 8 Friday (7 May 2021) 11:55 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Topic section for Novel 3
Chapter
There is no set textbook. Refer to the Moodle site and e-Reading List for set readings throughout.
Events and Submissions/Topic
i. Complete your reading/note-taking for Novel 3.
ii. In the Topic section for Novel 3, complete the readings and activities.
Module/Topic
Topic section for Novel 4
Chapter
There is no set textbook. Refer to the Moodle site and e-Reading List for set readings throughout.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Read Novel 4, compiling notes for Assessment 3.
Module/Topic
Topic section for Novel 4
There will be a drop-in Zoom session scheduled this week for you to ask any questions about Assessment 3. Check the Virtual Classes tile for time/date.
Chapter
There is no set textbook. Refer to the Moodle site and e-Reading List for set readings throughout.
Events and Submissions/Topic
i. In the Topic section for Novel 4, complete the readings and activities.
ii. Begin Assessment 3 - Essay due by Friday Week 12.
Module/Topic
Topic section for Novel 4
Chapter
There is no set textbook. Refer to the Moodle site and e-Reading List for set readings throughout.
Events and Submissions/Topic
i. Complete and submit Assessment 3 - Essay by Friday.
Assessment 3 - Essay Due: Week 12 Friday (4 June 2021) 11:55 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
1 Written Assessment
Word length: 1300 words
You may select any one (1) novel from the text list to complete and submit a Portfolio of three (3) activities as listed below. Note: the novel you select for this assessment cannot be used for Assessments 2 or 3.
You will need to access the Portfolio Activity Workbook (available in the Topic 1 Introduction section in Moodle). These activities will assist you to develop your textual analysis skills for your later assessments in this unit and further study. They are designed with a creative aspect that may make them suitable items for your professional portfolio to benefit your employment prospects.
Week 3 Activity: Written reflection (you may present this as a reflective journal entry, a letter to the editor or an opinion piece for a magazine)
Week 4 Activity: Themes interview/podcast/vodcast (you may present this as a written script, audio or video file)
Week 5 Activity: Critical discussion question (written response)
Task Description:
Part 1 (optional): You should complete all three (3) activities in the Portfolio Activity Workbook from Weeks 3-5 on a weekly basis. You will be able to receive feedback on your Week 3 and 4 activities by submitting them to the blog links provided, allowing you to revise them before final submission. The blogs will only be open for submissions until Sunday of each relevant week and you will receive feedback by the following week.
Part 2 (compulsory): You should collate your three (3) Portfolio Activities from Weeks 3-5 and submit to Moodle by the due date in Week 5. The creative presentation of your Portfolio is up to you, however, please use 12 point font and double line spacing for written submissions.
While it is optional to complete Part 1, you are encouraged to complete these activities on a weekly basis so you have sufficient time to complete them, and to take advantage of the opportunity to receive feedback to assist in improving your grade.
The word count allows for a variation of +/- 10%. It excludes the cover page and reference list. It includes in-text references and direct quotations.
Week 5 Friday (9 Apr 2021) 11:55 pm AEST
Week 7 Friday (30 Apr 2021)
This assignment will be evaluated using the following assessment criteria:
- Identification and analysis of the novel’s main themes;
- Understanding of the novel’s historical and social context;
- Demonstration of insightful reflection and critical thinking in the activity responses;
- Inclusion of evidence from the text and scholarly sources, with appropriate acknowledgement of all sources using the Harvard (author-date) style;
- Clear and effective writing, with correct grammar, spelling and punctuation OR clear and effectual speaking suited to the audience, as applicable.
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- analyse and compare selected modern novels within a framework of issues such as ideology, gender, race and the politics of literature;
- articulate the evolution of the novel from socio/moral/expressive realism through modernism and post-modernism; and,
- interpret, analyse and evaluate complex literary texts.
2 Written Assessment
Length: 1500 words
You may select any one (1) novel from the text list for this assessment. Note: The novel you select for this assessment cannot be those used for Assessments 1 or 3.
Task Description
Writing and publishing book reviews can enhance your professional profile, and may be an item you could add to your portfolio. For this assessment you are required to find a literary newspaper or journal that accepts book reviews, then write a Book Review targeted at that publication based on a close reading of your selected novel.
You should model your review on the kind of book reviews you find in your literary newspaper or journal (irrespective of whether they only accept current titles). DO NOT model your review on the kinds of reviews you might find on the GoodReads or Amazon.com websites. These reviews tend to be solely focused on whether the book is enjoyable to read or not; in your review, you will be thinking much more broadly about the strengths and weaknesses of the book and its contribution to literary culture.
Some examples of appropriate publications include (but are not limited to):
-
Review section of the Weekend Australian,
- Weekend supplements to The Age or the Sydney Morning Herald
- Australian Book Review
- Sydney Review of Books
- New York Review of Books
- London Review of Books
- Times Literary Supplement
-
Kirkus Reviews
-
TEXT Journal
Your Book Review should follow the model/guidelines of your chosen publication, as applicable, and cover the following points (at minimum):
- A brief pitch to the publication outlining why it fits their review section (no more than 250 words, included before Book Review)
-
A brief description of the novel/plot
- A brief discussion of its historical, social and/or literary context
- An analysis of its main themes
- An evaluation of its significance: e.g. is it an important work of literature? If so, why? If not, why not?
Week 8 Friday (7 May 2021) 11:55 pm AEST
Week 10 Friday (21 May 2021)
This assignment will be evaluated on the following criteria:
- Identification and analysis of the novel’s main themes
-
Understanding of the novel’s historical and social context
- Cogent evaluation of the work’s significance
- Inclusion of evidence from the text and 2-3 scholarly sources, with appropriate acknowledgement of all sources using the Harvard (author-date) style
- Clear and effective writing, with correct grammar, spelling and punctuation
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Information Technology Competence
- Cross Cultural Competence
- Ethical practice
- analyse and compare selected modern novels within a framework of issues such as ideology, gender, race and the politics of literature;
- articulate the evolution of the novel from socio/moral/expressive realism through modernism and post-modernism; and,
- interpret, analyse and evaluate complex literary texts.
3 Written Assessment
Length: 2000 words
You may select any two (2) novels from the Text List for this assessment. Note: The novels you select for this assessment cannot be those used for Assessments 1 or 2.
Task Description
This assessment will allow you to pull all the skills you have learnt this term together in exploring a topic of interest to you in relation to the Modern Novel. Referring to the texual analysis and essay writing resources provided, write an essay on one (1) of the following topics:
- Gender and sexuality are key issues explored in many modern novels, sometimes transgressively so. Explore the ways in which your two selected novels deal with gender and sexuality.
- Modern literature uses a variety of narrative techniques and multiple points of view to generate a complex portrait of the human psyche. Discuss with reference to your two selected novels.
- The modern novel challenges and even rewrites official versions of history, bringing to light perspectives, experiences and points of view that might otherwise remain hidden. Discuss with reference to your two selected novels.
-
Students may consult with the lecturer to create your own analytical topic in relation to the Modern Novel, and discuss with reference to your two selected novels. Please email me at l.dodd@cqu.edu.au for approval of your topic. Topics must be approved at least one week before the due date for this option.
The essay must include in-depth textual analyses of your chosen novels as well as references to a range of scholarly sources (minimum of 5). Please note that all references need to be academic (i.e. peer-reviewed journal articles and/or scholarly books), obtained using academic databases and/or library resources. Wiki and other non-scholarly references from the Internet will not be counted in the minimum requirement. You should acknowledge all sources using the Harvard (author-date) referencing style. Written submissions should be in 12 point font with double line spacing.
The word count allows a +/- 10% variation and is considered from the first word of the introduction to the last word of the conclusion. It excludes the cover page and reference list. It includes in-text references and direct quotations.
Week 12 Friday (4 June 2021) 11:55 pm AEST
Exam Week Friday (18 June 2021)
This assignment will be marked using the following evaluation criteria:
- Development of a convincing and coherent argument in response to the question
- Engagement with key concepts relating to the modern novel
- The relevance, insight and depth of textual analysis of the chosen novels, supported by paraphrases and quotations from the text
- Effective use of a range of academic sources (minimum of 5) to support both argument and analysis, with appropriate acknowledgement of all sources using the Harvard (author-date) referencing style.
- Clear and effective writing, with correct grammar, spelling and punctuation
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Ethical practice
- analyse and compare selected modern novels within a framework of issues such as ideology, gender, race and the politics of literature;
- articulate the evolution of the novel from socio/moral/expressive realism through modernism and post-modernism; and,
- interpret, analyse and evaluate complex literary texts.
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.