Length: 5 - 7 Minutes

Weighting: 20%

You will provide a critical review of one of the key texts of theory as found in the unit eReadings (see Moodle Assessment details for list). Create a 5 - 7 minute pre-recorded audio/visual presentation with PowerPoint that explains and contextualizes your chosen theoretical text. In developing the critical review address the following four questions:

1.     What is the text's main idea/thesis/argument?

2.     Why is the theorist making their argument?

3.     What reasons/evidence does the theorist use to support their case?

4.     How might this source be relevant to its school, to literary theory, and to contemporary social life more generally?

NOTE: A more detailed explanation of these four points can be found in the Assessment section of Moodle.

Presentation description: 

• 5 - 7 minute pre-recorded spoken presentation, uploaded to YouTube and a link provided in Moodle.
• The presentation should include a PowerPoint including a title slide with your name and title of the chosen text.
• The final slide should include your reference list.
• You may use text, images and video files (no longer than 60 seconds in length)
• At the end of the presentation, you must submit a PDF of the PowerPoint slides through Moodle.
• Do not just read your document to the audience, but use your notes as a guide.
• All technological issues are your responsibility. 

Important information about Word Count:

The word count is considered from the first word of the introduction to the last word of the conclusion. It excludes the cover page, abstract, contents page, reference page and appendices. It includes in-text references and direct quotations.

This assignment will be marked using the following evaluation criteria:

• Clear introduction and conclusion for the presentation (10%)
• Accuracy of information and depth of treatment of the topic (25%)
• Appropriate and clear PowerPoint presentation to support the argument (25%)
• Ability to present the argument clearly and logically during the spoken presentation (25%)
• Correct spelling, grammar, punctuation, clear lay-out of slides and use of Harvard style for reference list (15%) 

Length: 2400-3000 words (for the six assessable entries) 

You are expected to keep a 'Notes and Queries Journal' (NQJ) that provides an intellectual space to explore and apply the concepts and issues in the unit. As you go through the weekly learning materials you are to make notes, consider issues, and develop ideas. Consider it a way of ‘thinking out loud’ about the unit material and as a scaffold for building your final essay. The assessable part of the journal requires you will:

• Answer at least six of the weekly discussion questions listed on the Moodle site;
• Demonstrate evidence of reading and research in literary theory;
• Demonstrate ability to understand and apply theoretical concepts;
• Use textual and cultural examples where appropriate.

Each answer should be 400-500 words long.
All six answers should be submitted for assessment as a single Word document through the Moodle site by the Friday of Week 9.

*Bonus marks  You are encouraged to post your answers each week to the relevant Moodle discussion forum and to respond to the posts of others. Students who post their pieces regularly to the discussion forums will receive a 5% bonus mark.

Important information about Word Count:

The word count is considered from the first word of the introduction to the last word of the conclusion. It excludes the cover page, abstract, contents page, reference page and appendices. It includes in-text references and direct quotations.

This assignment will be marked using the following evaluation criteria:

• Evidence of reflection and critical thinking;
• Use of a range of academic sources to support ideas and arguments;
• High level of engagement with the ideas and concepts explored in the unit;
• Clarity of expression and proper acknowledgement of all sources using the Harvard (author-date) referencing style.

Weighting: 40%
Length: No less than 1500 words (2000 max.)

Prepare an essay on one of the following topics:

• Castle (2006 p. 5) describes how the aim of literary theory is to interrogate the discursive framework of an 'Enlightenment thinking, characterized by a universalized subject of knowledge, an empirical orientation to phenomena, and a belief in the universality and instrumentality of reason'. Describe how at least two schools of theory critique these sweeping humanist assumptions. 
• Culler (1997, p. 1) tells us that literary theory comprises a way of thinking about the 'nature of literature and the methods for analysing it' . Choose a literary theorist (or school) and test their rationale for how they go about analysing literature or literariness.
• ‘Culture is both a means of domination, of assuring the rule of one class or group over another, and a means of resistance to such domination, a way of articulating oppositional points of view to the dominant hegemony.’ Discuss with
• ‘Contemporary critical practice calls into question certain claims about literature and art’s ability to produce certain kinds of truths and values.’ Discuss in the context of the postmodern critique of Enlightenment humanism.
• According to Terry Eagleton (2007, p. 14), 'the mark of modernist thought is the belief that human existence is contingent – that it has no ground, goal, direction or necessity ... no unimpeachable foundation for what we are and what we do’. This may be seen as liberating or threatening (or both). He goes on to say that: ‘This may make our finest moments even more precious or it may serve to drastically devalue them.’ Discuss these issues using concepts from of relevant literary theories.
• In the words of Whitla (2010, p. 217) literary theories 'challenge fundamental assumptions about how language works and about how we know about the world, [and] they also question deep-seated sites of political and intellectual authority.' This can be seen as both empowering and disconcerting for people in the contemporary world. Discuss.

Your essay should put forward an argument or position in relation to the topic, drawing on relevant theoretical concepts and be supported by proper scholarly sources.

NOTE: More topics may be added and/or you may develop your own topic in consultation with the unit coordinator.

Important information about Word Count:

The word count is considered from the first word of the introduction to the last word of the conclusion. It excludes the cover page, abstract, contents page, reference page and appendices. It includes in-text references and direct quotations.

References

Castle, G 2007, The Blackwell Guide to Literary Theory, John Wiley & Sons, Malden.
Culler, J 1997, Literary theory: A very short introduction, Oxford University Press, Oxford.
Eagleton, T 2007, The meaning of life: A very short introduction, Oxford University Press, Oxford.
Whitla, W 2014, The English handbook, Wiley-Blackwell, Malden.

This assignment will be evaluated using the following assessment criteria:

• Development of a convincing and coherent argument in response to the question;
• High level of engagement with key ideas and concepts relating to literary theory;
• Clear and correct written expression (effective use of essay structure, correct spelling and grammar);
• The proper acknowledgement of all sources (minimum of 6) using the Harvard (author-date) referencing style.