ENGL1022: Semester 1, 2025

Overview

How do we think about contemporary writing without the historical distance and critical tradition that older texts offer? Studying contemporary literature offers a unique opportunity to analyse the way critical understanding is formed by reading literature of the moment, writing about it, and writing in response to it. Students will think critically and creatively about the cultures of the present by reading texts alongside a dynamic sense of our shared present: its controversies, assumptions, and deep relation to the literary and cultural traditions that inform writing practice.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	English and Writing
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Meg Brayshaw, meg.brayshaw@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Lucas Thompson, lucas.thompson@sydney.edu.au
	Nienke Boer, nienke.boer@sydney.edu.au
	Rebecca Johinke, rebecca.johinke@sydney.edu.au
	Dashiell Moore, dashiell.moore@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s)	Nienke Boer, nienke.boer@sydney.edu.au
	Lily Patchett, lily.patchett@sydney.edu.au
	Meg Brayshaw, meg.brayshaw@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Presentation	Tutorial Facilitation Design and deliver a learning activity and facilitate class discussion	20%	Multiple weeks	30 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Reflection on tutorial facilitation A written reflection on the tutorial facilitation	15%	Multiple weeks	1000 words
Outcomes assessed:
Small test	Course Requirements and English Discipline Conventions #earlyfeedbacktask	0%	Week 02 Due date: 07 Mar 2025 at 23:59	Quiz
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Reading journal Critical and creative responses to readings and unit themes	30%	Week 07 Due date: 13 Apr 2025 at 23:59	1500 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Final essay Final essay submitted with drafts completed in class	35%	Week 13 Due date: 30 May 2025 at 23:59	2000w
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ? = group assignment ?

Early feedback task

This unit includes an early feedback task, designed to give you feedback prior to the census date for this unit. Details are provided in the Canvas site and your result will be recorded in your Marks page. It is important that you actively engage with this task so that the University can support you to be successful in this unit.

Assessment summary

Please see Canvas for complete guidelines and marking rubrics.

Early feedback task (Pass/Fail)

This short quiz on Canvas will test your comprehension of the unit's goals and themes, your familarity with the Canvas page, and your knowledge of the week 1 lecture.

Tutorial facilitation (20%)

In groups of 2-3, students will design and deliver a 10 minute presentation in class, followed by a 20 minute learning activity for the whole class.

Reflection on tutorial facilitation (15%)

Students will submit an individual reflection of 1000 words on their tutorial facilitation. What went well? What could have been better? Were there aspects of the text/s you hoped would be discussed but weren't?

Reading journal (30%)

Students will submit 3-5 entries (totalling 1500 words) that offer creative and critical responses to the unit's readings and themes from weeks 1-7. Students will produce drafts supervised in class, which will be attached to the final submission.

Final essay (35%)

Students will write a sustained response to a question (released in Week 10) of their choosing, focusing on ONE or TWO readings from weeks 8-13. Students will produce drafts supervised in class, which will be attached to the final submission.

AI Policy for all assessments

In all assessments (minus the Early Feedback Task) you are allowed to use automated writing tools and artificial intelligence (AI) for the following purposes:

Generating ideas for assessment

You may use AI tools such as to for completing your assignment.

However, you must develop or edit those ideas to a substantial degree to ensure your submission is your own, original work.

Searching and summarising literature

You may use AI tools such as to find and summarise research articles. The generated summary should not be included in the submission. You need to incorporate the scholarship yourself into your submission.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission, must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to reference and acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

Please adhere to the following guidelines:

Do not enter confidential, personal, copyrighted or otherwise sensitive information into any AI tool.
If you use these tools, you must be aware of their limitations, biases, and propensity for fabrication.
Do not rely on the accuracy of outputs. You remain responsible for your work. This means you must independently verify and edit AI-generated content to ensure the integrity, accuracy, and suitability of the output.

Failure to declare the use of AI tools is considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and may result in penalties, which can include a fail for the assessment.

You are advised to keep copies of the prompts you provided and AI outputs as evidence of your research and writing process. This allows you to produce an accurate acknowledgement of AI use when you submit your work. This can be requested by the unit coordinator if there is any uncertainty about the originality of your work.

The ethical and appropriate use of AI will be discussed in more detail during tutorials.

Assessment criteria

Result Name	Mark Range	Description
High Distinction	85-100	Work of exceptional quality, as defined by grade descriptors (forthcoming).
Distinction	75-84	Work of very high quality, as defined by grade descriptors (forthcoming).
Credit	65-74	Work of good quality, as defined by grade descriptors (forthcoming).
Pass	50-64	Work of acceptable quality, as defined by grade descriptors (forthcoming).

Please see Canvas for full marking rubrics for each assessment.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

Except for supervised exams or in-semester tests, you may use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessments unless expressly prohibited by your unit coordinator.

For exams and in-semester tests, the use of AI and automated writing tools is not allowed unless expressly permitted in the assessment instructions.

The icons in the assessment table above indicate whether AI is allowed – whether full AI, or only some AI (the latter is referred to as “AI restricted”). If no icon is shown, AI use is not permitted at all for the task. Refer to Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks for this unit.

Your final submission must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of automated writing tools or generative AI, and any material generated that you include in your final submission must be properly referenced. You may be required to submit generative AI inputs and outputs that you used during your assessment process, or drafts of your original work. Inappropriate use of generative AI is considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

The Current Students website provides information on artificial intelligence in assessments. For help on how to correctly acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the  AI in Education Canvas site.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

5% per calendar day late; 0 awarded after 10 days late.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	What is Contemporary Literature?	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 02	History: Yaa Gyasi's Homegoing	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 02	Introduction	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 03	History: Yaa Gyasi's Homegoing	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 03	History: Yaa Gyasi's Homegoing	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 04	Poetics: Evelyn Araluen's Dropbear	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 04	History: Yaa Gyasi's Homecoming	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 05	Poetics: Evelyn Araluen's Dropbear	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 05	Poetics: Evelyn Araluen's Dropbear	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 06	Identity: Ocean Vuong's On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 06	Poetics: Evelyn Araluen's Dropbear	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 07	Identity: Ocean Vuong's On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 07	Identity: Ocean Vuong's On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 08	Becoming: Elena Ferrante's The Lost Daughter	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 08	Identity: Ocean Vuong's On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 09	Becoming: Elena Ferrante's The Lost Daughter	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 09	Becoming: Elena Ferrante's The Lost Daughter	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 10	Prestige: The Booker Prize	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 10	Becoming: Elena Ferrante's The Lost Daughter	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 11	Prestige: Samantha Harvey's Orbital	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 11	Prestige: The Booker Prize	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 12	Futurity: Australian short fiction	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 12	Prestige: Samantha Harvey's Orbital	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 13	Futurity: Australian short fiction	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 13	Futurity: Australian short fiction	Tutorial (2 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Students must attend 90% of all tutorials. If more than one class is missed, an adequate reason (i.e. medical certificate) must be provided. Students who do not meet this threshold will be referred to the Board of Examiners who may recommend an Absent Fail.

Students who attend less than 50% of classes will automatically receive an Absent Fail.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

There are five books set for study on this unit. These can be purchased via Gleebooks online or in store (students receive 10% off). Additionally, the books are all available as ebooks, and should be relatively easy to source from secondhand dealers and local libraries.

Yaa Gyasi, Homegoing (2016), 320 pp.

Ocean Vuong, On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous (2019), 250 pp.

Evelyn Araluen, Dropbear (2021), 112 pp.

Elena Ferrante, The Lost Daughter (2006), 144 pp.

Samantha Harvey, Orbital (2023), 144 pp.

Short fiction available to download from Canvas.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. Identify significant features of contemporary writing and articulate an historicised and rich sense of what it means for authors and writers to be "contemporary."
LO2. Analyse and evaluate different modes and genres of communication in primary and secondary texts.
LO3. Critically defend ideas and arguments derived from analysing English texts in critical and/or creative forms of communication.
LO4. Develop responses to literary texts and culture using a variety of genres.
LO5. Identify and respond with contextually appropriate understanding to a variety of contemporary issues as they are canvassed in literary texts.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

The learning structure has been altered (from 2hr lecture/1hr tutorial) in response to student feedback. Also in response to feedback, the assessments have been been fully redesigned.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

This unit of study outline was last modified on 21 Feb 2025.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

ENGL1022: Contemporary Literature

Semester 1, 2025 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Early feedback task

Assessment summary

AI Policy for all assessments

Assessment criteria

Result Name

Mark Range

Description

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

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Media

Student links

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