CQUniversity Unit Profile
LITR19052 The Modern Novel
The Modern Novel
All details in this unit profile for LITR19052 have been officially approved by CQUniversity and represent a learning partnership between the University and you (our student).
The information will not be changed unless absolutely necessary and any change will be clearly indicated by an approved correction included in the profile.
General Information

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

Career Level: Undergraduate
Unit Level: Level 3
Credit Points: 6
Student Contribution Band: 7
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load: 0.125

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 - 2023

Online

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).

Class and Assessment Overview

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

Bundaberg, Cairns, Emerald, Gladstone, Mackay, Rockhampton, Townsville
Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney

Assessment Overview

1. Written Assessment
Weighting: 20%
2. Written Assessment
Weighting: 40%
3. Written Assessment
Weighting: 40%

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.

Previous Student Feedback

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 SUTE Student Evaluation

Feedback

Marking criteria was not clear/relevant to assessment

Recommendation

Update marking criteria to better match Learning Outcomes and assessments

Feedback from Personal Reflection

Feedback

Some students did not seem to engage with the Weekly Study Guides that have been written specifically to scaffold the assessments.

Recommendation

Provide further links to the Weekly Study Guides in the topic sections (in addition to the assessment pages)

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. analyse and compare selected modern novels within a framework of issues such as ideology, gender, race and the politics of literature;
  2. articulate the evolution of the novel from socio/moral/expressive realism through modernism and post-modernism; and,
  3. interpret, analyse and evaluate complex literary texts.
Alignment of Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Graduate Attributes
N/A Level
Introductory Level
Intermediate Level
Graduate Level
Professional Level
Advanced Level

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 and Resources

Textbooks

There are no required textbooks.

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) or also published as The stranger
  • 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

You will need access to the following IT resources:
  • CQUniversity Student Email
  • Internet
  • Unit Website (Moodle)
  • Zoom app on your smart phone or access to Zoom on your laptop
Referencing Style

All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Harvard (author-date)

For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.

Teaching Contacts
Alicia Kindleysides Unit Coordinator
a.kindleysides@cqu.edu.au
Ali Hickling Unit Coordinator
a.hickling@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Week 1 Begin Date: 06 Mar 2023

Module/Topic

Overview of 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

Week 1 Study Guide:Textual Analysis

Overview tile

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 Overview tile.
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.
iv. You may like to begin reading your 1st chosen Novel (refer to Week 2 below).

Week 2 Begin Date: 13 Mar 2023

Module/Topic

Analysing 1st Novel


Chapter

Week 2 Study Guide: Analysing 1st Novel

Events and Submissions/Topic

i. Read your 1st chosen Novel to gain an overall sense of story/themes/characters.
ii. Conduct a second close reading of your 1st chosen Novel, compiling notes for Assessment 1.
Note: The reading/note-taking process may take up to 12 hours depending on the novels you select and your reading speed, so ensure that you allow ample time.

Week 3 Begin Date: 20 Mar 2023

Module/Topic

Reflective Writing


Chapter

Week 3 Study Guide: Reflective Writing

1st chosen novel tile

Events and Submissions/Topic

i. In the Novel tile for your 1st chosen Novel, watch the lecture and complete the readings and activities in the 'Learning Materials' section.
ii. Complete the Week 3 Study Guide activity for your Portfolio and post to the Week 3 blog by Sunday to receive feedback.

Week 4 Begin Date: 27 Mar 2023

Module/Topic

Themes


Chapter

Week 4 Study Guide: Themes

1st chosen novel tile

Events and Submissions/Topic

i. In the Novel tile for your 1st chosen Novel, complete the readings and activities in the 'Learning Activities' section.
ii. Complete the Week 4 Study Guide activity for your Portfolio and post to the Week 4 blog by Sunday to receive feedback.

Week 5 Begin Date: 03 Apr 2023

Module/Topic

Critical Analysis

Chapter

Week 5 Study Guide: Critical Analysis


Events and Submissions/Topic

i. Complete the Week 5 Study Guide activity for your Portfolio.
ii. Revise your activities for your Portfolio based on feedback received, then collate your Portfolio in a Word document, with audio/video files as applicable, to submit to Moodle by Friday.


Assessment 1 - Portfolio Due: Week 5 Thursday (6 Apr 2023) 11:45 pm AEST
Vacation Week Begin Date: 10 Apr 2023

Module/Topic

Chapter


Events and Submissions/Topic

You might like to use this week to get ahead in your reading.

Week 6 Begin Date: 17 Apr 2023

Module/Topic

Analysing 2nd novel

Chapter

Week 6 Study Guide: Analysing 2nd Novel

Events and Submissions/Topic

i. Read your 2nd chosen Novel to gain an overall sense of story/themes/characters.
ii. Conduct a second close reading of your 2nd chosen Novel, compiling notes for Assessment 2.

Week 7 Begin Date: 24 Apr 2023

Module/Topic

Writing Academic Book Reviews

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

Week 7 Study Guide: Writing Academic Book Reviews

2nd chosen novel tile

Events and Submissions/Topic

i. In the Novel tile for your 2nd chosen Novel, complete the lecture, readings and activities.
ii. Begin Assessment 2 - Book Review.

Week 8 Begin Date: 01 May 2023

Module/Topic

Finalise Book Review

Chapter

Week 8 Study Guide: Finalise Book Review


Events and Submissions/Topic

i. Complete and submit Assessment 2 - Book Review by Friday. You may submit your draft book review to Studiosity for feedback, but remember to allow sufficient time for return and revisions.
ii. Begin reading your 3rd chosen Novel and compiling notes for Assessment 3.


Assessment 2 - Book Review Due: Week 8 Friday (5 May 2023) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 9 Begin Date: 08 May 2023

Module/Topic

Analysing 3rd Novel

Chapter

Week 9 Study Guide: Analysing 3rd Novel

3rd chosen novel tile

Events and Submissions/Topic

i. Complete your reading/note-taking for your 3rd chosen Novel.
ii. In the Novel tile for your 3rd chosen Novel, complete the lecture, readings and activities.

Week 10 Begin Date: 15 May 2023

Module/Topic

Analysing 4th Novel

There will be a drop-in Zoom session scheduled in Week 10 or 11 for you to ask any questions about Assessment 3. Check the Virtual Classes tile for time/date.

Chapter

Week 10 Study Guide: Analysing 4th Novel


Events and Submissions/Topic

Read your 4th chosen Novel, compiling notes for Assessment 3.

Week 11 Begin Date: 22 May 2023

Module/Topic

Essay Writing


Chapter

Week 11 Study Guide: Essay Writing

4th chosen novel tile

Events and Submissions/Topic

i. In the Novel tile for your 4th chosen Novel, complete the lecture, readings and activities.
ii. Begin Assessment 3 - Essay due by Friday Week 12.

Week 12 Begin Date: 29 May 2023

Module/Topic

Final Reflection

Chapter

Week 12 Study Guide: Final Reflection

Events and Submissions/Topic

i. Complete and submit Assessment 3 - Essay by Friday.
You may submit your draft essay to Studiosity for feedback, but remember to allow sufficient time for return and revisions.

ii. Complete the final reflection activity to consolidate your learning


Assessment 3 - Essay Due: Week 12 Friday (2 June 2023) 11:45 pm AEST
Review/Exam Week Begin Date: 05 Jun 2023

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Exam Week Begin Date: 12 Jun 2023

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Assessment Tasks

1 Written Assessment

Assessment Title
Assessment 1 - Portfolio

Task Description

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 should complete one Portfolio Activity from each week from Weeks 3, 4 and 5 in the Weekly Study Guides for this assessment item, and submit a total of three (3) activities for grading in Week 5. Each Study Guide will provide you with information and resources to complete the activity.

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 analysis (written response to a discussion question)

Task Description:

Part 1 (optional): You should complete all three (3) activities 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.


Assessment Due Date

Week 5 Thursday (6 Apr 2023) 11:45 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Week 7 Thursday (27 Apr 2023)


Weighting
20%

Assessment Criteria

This assignment will be evaluated using the following assessment criteria:

  1. Identification and analysis of the novel’s main themes;
  2. Understanding of the novel’s historical and social context;
  3. Demonstration of insightful reflection and critical thinking in the activity responses;
  4. Inclusion of evidence from the text and scholarly sources, with appropriate acknowledgement of all sources using the Harvard (author-date) style;
  5. Clear and effective writing, with correct grammar, spelling and punctuation OR clear and effectual speaking suited to the audience, as applicable.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • 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.


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking

2 Written Assessment

Assessment Title
Assessment 2 - Book Review

Task Description

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?
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.


Assessment Due Date

Week 8 Friday (5 May 2023) 11:45 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Week 10 Friday (19 May 2023)


Weighting
40%

Assessment Criteria

This assignment will be evaluated on the following criteria:

  1. Identification and analysis of the novel’s main themes
  2. Understanding of the novel’s historical and social context
  3. Cogent evaluation of the work’s significance
  4. Inclusion of evidence from the text and 2-3 scholarly sources, with appropriate acknowledgement of all sources using the Harvard (author-date) style
  5. Clear and effective writing, with correct grammar, spelling and punctuation


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • 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.


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Literacy
  • Information Technology Competence
  • Cross Cultural Competence
  • Ethical practice

3 Written Assessment

Assessment Title
Assessment 3 - Essay

Task Description

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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.


Assessment Due Date

Week 12 Friday (2 June 2023) 11:45 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Exam Week Friday (16 June 2023)


Weighting
40%

Assessment Criteria

This assignment will be marked using the following evaluation criteria:

  1. Development of a convincing and coherent argument in response to the question
  2. Engagement with key concepts relating to the modern novel
  3. The relevance, insight and depth of textual analysis of the chosen novels, supported by paraphrases and quotations from the text
  4. 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.
  5. Clear and effective writing, with correct grammar, spelling and punctuation


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • 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.


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Literacy
  • Ethical practice

Academic Integrity Statement

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.

What can you do to act with integrity?