ENGL 2068 - Pacific Literature Study Tour: Tonga

North Terrace Campus - Quadmester 4 - 2017

The course will allow students to study Pacific literature in English in the context of the contemporary Pacific environment. It will be delivered via seminars and in-country cultural immersion, followed by reflection. The course will have three distinct phases: (1) cultural orientation, reading and discussion (2) in-country immersion, including a range of specific cultural experiences, and; (3) continuing reflection, writing and discussion in Adelaide on return. Students will gain knowledge of Pacific literature and culture, as well as an understanding of life in a developing country. Students wishing to study this course will need to fill in an application form which will be available on the Department of English and Creative Writing website at http://hss.adelaide.edu.au/english/

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code ENGL 2068
    Course Pacific Literature Study Tour: Tonga
    Coordinating Unit English, Creative Writing, and Film
    Term Quadmester 4
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 6
    Contact Up to 13 hours per week - students will travel to Tonga in late November/early December
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange N
    Prerequisites At least 12 units of Level I Arts courses
    Course Description The course will allow students to study Pacific literature in English in the context of the contemporary Pacific environment. It will be delivered via seminars and in-country cultural immersion, followed by reflection. The course will have three distinct phases: (1) cultural orientation, reading and discussion (2) in-country immersion, including a range of specific cultural experiences, and; (3) continuing reflection, writing and discussion in Adelaide on return. Students will gain knowledge of Pacific literature and culture, as well as an understanding of life in a developing country. Students wishing to study this course will need to fill in an application form which will be available on the Department of English and Creative Writing website at http://hss.adelaide.edu.au/english/
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Associate Professor Mandy Treagus

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    At the successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
    1 Demonstrate knowledge of contemporary Pacific literature and culture
    2 Demonstrate capacity to identify and critically examine the specifics of each text’s engagement with its historical, political and cultural context
    3 Develop oral and written analytic and critical skills through the contextualised discussion of a range of texts, and through close reading and critical analysis of selected Pacific texts
    4 Demonstrate research skills, ability to synthesise a range of information and argument, and capacity to formulate and articulate considered points of view in writing
    5 Participate in productive and respectful discussion with peers
    6 Critically engage with a range of postcolonial theories, including De-colonisation and Pasifika approaches
    7 Respectfully engage with another culture in a study abroad situation
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)
    Deep discipline knowledge
    • informed and infused by cutting edge research, scaffolded throughout their program of studies
    • acquired from personal interaction with research active educators, from year 1
    • accredited or validated against national or international standards (for relevant programs)
    1, 2, 6
    Critical thinking and problem solving
    • steeped in research methods and rigor
    • based on empirical evidence and the scientific approach to knowledge development
    • demonstrated through appropriate and relevant assessment
    2, 3, 4, 6
    Teamwork and communication skills
    • developed from, with, and via the SGDE
    • honed through assessment and practice throughout the program of studies
    • encouraged and valued in all aspects of learning
    1, 3, 4, 5
    Career and leadership readiness
    • technology savvy
    • professional and, where relevant, fully accredited
    • forward thinking and well informed
    • tested and validated by work based experiences
    1, 4, 5, 6, 7
    Intercultural and ethical competency
    • adept at operating in other cultures
    • comfortable with different nationalities and social contexts
    • able to determine and contribute to desirable social outcomes
    • demonstrated by study abroad or with an understanding of indigenous knowledges
    1, 2, 5, 6, 7
    Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
    • a capacity for self-reflection and a willingness to engage in self-appraisal
    • open to objective and constructive feedback from supervisors and peers
    • able to negotiate difficult social situations, defuse conflict and engage positively in purposeful debate
    5, 6, 7
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    The course will have be taught in three distinct phases: (1) cultural orientation, reading and discussion (2) in-country immersion, including a range of specific cultural experiences, and; (3) continuing reflection, writing and discussion in Adelaide on return.
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    This course is taught intensively over four weeks.
    3 x 3-hour seminars in weeks 1 and 4 18 hours per semester
    14 hours of in-country seminars in weeks 2 and 3 28 hours per semester
    17 hours reading per week 68 hours per semester
    16 hours research per week 64 hours per semester
    16 hours assignment preparation per week 64 hours per semester
    17.5 hours additional study per week 70 hours per semester
    TOTAL WORKLOAD 312 hours per semester
    Learning Activities Summary
    Schedule
    Week 1 Introduction/preparation seminars in Adelaide
    Week 2 In-country study in Tonga
    Week 3 In-country study in Tonga
    Week 4 Assignment preparation/conclusion seminars in Adelaide
    This course is taught intensively over four weeks.
    Specific Course Requirements
    Students must have a valid passport.
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Assessment Task Task Type Weighting Learning Outcome
    Seminar presentation Formative and Summative 10% 1-6
    1000 word textual analysis Formative and Summative 20% 1-6
    2 x 1000 word personal reflection papers Formative and Summative 20% 1-6
    1000 word research essay plan Formative and Summative 10% 1-6
    4500 word research essay Formative and Summative 40% 1-6
    Assessment Related Requirements
    Attendance at seminars is compulsory.
    Assessment Detail
    Seminar presentations (10%): students participate in seminars and orally present information on various topics to the group.

    1000 word textual analysis (20%): students submit a textual analysis on selected texts.

    2 x 1000 word personal reflections (20%): students submit a record of their experiences and thoughts in regard to Pacific literature.

    1000 word essay plan (10%): students submit an essay plan on their chosen research topic.

    4500 word essay (40%): students submit a major essay on their chosen research topic.
    Submission
    Information available on enrolment.
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.