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Unit outline_

ENGL6103: Approaches to Global English Literatures

Semester 1, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This is a core unit for the Master of English Studies. Students will familiarise themselves with critical approaches to a range of literary works written throughout the world in the English language, and they will critically examine ways in which theories of globalisation and place have come to inflect paradigms of local and national identity. Students will evaluate contemporary understandings of the meaning and significance of "English" literature in a new global environment.

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

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Nienke Boer, nienke.boer@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 2 April 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Final Paper
Research Paper
50% Formal exam period
Due date: 07 Jun 2024 at 23:59
4500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Participation Participation
In-class discussions and online forum posts.
10% Ongoing n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Draft
Draft Abstract and Introduction, with peer review
10% Week 10
Due date: 03 May 2024 at 23:59
750 words
Outcomes assessed: LO4 LO5 LO3 LO2 LO1
Presentation Research Presentations
Presentations on Final Research Paper
30% Week 13 c750 words / 10-15 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2

Assessment summary

Detailed instructions on Assessments will be posted on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

All assignments must be completed in order to pass this unit. 

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a High distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a Distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

High distinction

85 - 100

Distinction

75 - 84

Credit

65 - 74

Pass

50 - 64

Fail

0 - 49

For more information see guide to grades.

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.

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.

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

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative 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 acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

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

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 02 Approaches I: World Literature and its Discontents Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 03 Approaches II: The Global South Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 04 Case Study: _Sea of Poppies_ Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 05 Case Study: Australia and New Zealand Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 06 Language and Colonialism I Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 07 Language and Colonialism II Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 08 Translation I: Borderlands Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 09 Translation II: _Signs Preceding the End of the World_ Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 10 The Subaltern I: Gender Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 11 The Subaltern II: Speech and Silence Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 12 Comparative Approaches Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 13 Conclusions/Presentations Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: According to Faculty Board Resolutions, students in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences are expected to attend 90% of their classes. If you attend less than 50% of classes, regardless of the reasons, you may be referred to the Examiner’s Board. The Examiner’s Board will decide whether you should pass or fail the unit of study if your attendance falls below this threshold. Seminars will not be recorded, and you are expected to attend in person.

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

Books to procure [any edition is fine]:

Amitav Ghosh, Sea of Poppies

Yuri Herrera, Signs Preceding the End of the World

Amos Tutuola, The Palm-Wine Drinkard

These books will be available to purchase at Gleebooks (https://www.gleebooks.com.au), though you are of course welcome to source them elsewhere/second-hand/as e-books/from your local library, etc. Check Gleebooks website first for availability.

ALL OTHER READINGS WILL BE AVAILABLE ON CANVAS. 

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.

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

  • LO1. understand the multiple critical genealogies and lines of inquiry that shape global approaches to English literary studies
  • LO2. analyse and interpret a range of literary forms and genres
  • LO3. explore the relationship between literature and the world by situating literary works in the relevant aesthetic, cultural, historical, intellectual, political, or social contexts
  • LO4. formulate research questions as well as implement the relevant methodologies to develop a response
  • LO5. practice effective listening, thinking, and writing skills to build learning capacities and share knowledge

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
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

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

Suggestions regarding the contents and timing of the syllabus have been implemented, and the assessment structure has been adapted to better scaffold assignments.

Disclaimer

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

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