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Unit of study_
ENGL1017: The Idea of the Classic
2025 unit information
Why are some books considered classics while others are hardly read at all? How is the idea of the classic linked to debates about history, representation, excellence, and taste? This unit answers these questions through in-depth, guided readings of a small number of major texts that have, at one time or another, been celebrated for their classic status. We consider whether literary classics must be difficult, innovative, representative, or popular; how they shape our judgements about literary tradition and value; and why they remain implicated in debates about sexuality, race, national identity, and class.
Unit details and rules
Managing faculty or University school:
Arts and Social Sciences
| Study level | Undergraduate |
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| Academic unit | English and Writing |
| Credit points | 6 |
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Prerequisites:
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None |
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Corequisites:
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None |
| Prohibitions:
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None |
| Assumed knowledge:
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None |
At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:
- LO1. Describe the significance of the classic as a measure of literary, historical, and cultural value
- LO2. Provide formal analyses of classic texts in order to substantiate claims about their meaning and significance and to help situate them within their literary and historical contexts
- LO3. Make and evaluate arguments for and against the designation of a text’s “classic” status
- LO4. Understand why the classic continues to play a role in debates about the formation of personal, national, and ethno-cultural identity
Unit availability
This section lists the session, attendance modes and locations the unit is available in. There is a unit outline for each of the unit availabilities, which gives you information about the unit including assessment details and a schedule of weekly activities.
The outline is published 2 weeks before the first day of teaching. You can look at previous outlines for a guide to the details of a unit.
| Session | MoA ? | Location | Outline ? |
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Semester 1 2025
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Normal day | Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney |
Outline unavailable
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Modes of attendance (MoA)
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