ENGL 3045 - The Question of Postmodernism: Texts and Issues

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2017

Postmodernism? Nothing about this term is unproblematic, nothing about it is entirely satisfactory. So begins Brian McHale's study, Postmodernist Fiction. In this course we'll consider the relation between the terms Modernism and Postmodernism, and the relation between Postmodernism and the other -isms and posts- of our time, through our reading of a set of literary texts written in or translated into English, in different countries, over the last half-century or so. Our major focus will be on these texts, which may include novels, short stories, drama and poetry, with a secondary focus on literary theory. Apart from the pleasures of reading and engaging in critical discussion, our aim will be to gain some understanding of how the term Postmodernism is used by different theorists and critics, and how well and in what ways the concept addresses the concerns and procedures of the literary texts in our study. This course will in certain ways follow on from the course on Modernisms, but students who have not done that course are also welcome, and should not feel at a disadvantage.

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Course Details

Course Code	ENGL 3045
Course	The Question of Postmodernism: Texts and Issues
Coordinating Unit	English, Creative Writing, and Film
Term	Semester 2
Level	Undergraduate
Location/s	North Terrace Campus
Units	3
Contact	Up to 3 hours per week
Available for Study Abroad and Exchange	Y
Prerequisites	At least 6 units of level 2 undergraduate study
Incompatible	ENGL 2065
Biennial Course	Offered odd years
Assessment	Participation 10%, Seminar presentation 10%, Seminar essay 40%, Take-home exam 40%

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Dr Maggie Tonkin

Course Timetable

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

Course Learning Outcomes

After successfully completing this course, students should be able to:

1. Read and understand Postmodernist texts and critical discussions of them
2. Draw upon a range of Postmodernist concepts in the context of literary
discussion
3. Discuss Postmodernist literary texts in the historical and cultural context
of their production
4. Write coherent and logically argued written material, based on evidence, and engage in evidence-based critical debate
5. Work with others in the exploration of ideas, the negotiation of solution to problems, and the production of written and spoken materials
6. Collaborate and engage productively and respectfully with their peers
7. Use technologies relevant to the university learning environment

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)	1,2,3
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	1,2,3,4,5
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	4,5,6
Career and leadership readiness technology savvy professional and, where relevant, fully accredited forward thinking and well informed tested and validated by work based experiences	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	3,5,6
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

Learning Resources

Required Resources

Set texts will include novels, shorts stories, poetry and plays, and may include works by Samuel Beckett, Angela Carter, Brian Castro, Lyn Hejinian, B.S. Johnson, David Markson and others

Recommended Resources

The English Resources Guide on the Barr Smith Library site has a page devoted to Modernism and Postmodernism:
http://www.adelaide.edu.au/library/guide/hum/english/
Click on literary periods, then Modernism and postmodernism

Online Learning

Additional online material will be available though Canvas, and all lectures will be recorded and available for download.
Learning & Teaching Activities

Learning & Teaching Modes

To be confirmed

Workload

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

To be confirmed

Learning Activities Summary

Learning activities will include lectures, seminars and SGDE.

Specific Course Requirements

No specific requirements

Small Group Discovery Experience

To be confirmed

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

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

Assessment Summary

To be confirmed

Assessment Related Requirements

Assessment will include close textual analysis, essays, group presentations and a take home exam.

Assessment Detail

To be confirmed

Submission

All work will be submitted via Turnitin

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
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
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.

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Authorised by:	Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic)
Maintained by:	Course Outlines Administrator