Semester 1, 2023 Toowoomba On-campus | |
Units : | 1 |
School or Department : | School of Humanities & Communication |
Grading basis : | Graded |
Course fee schedule : | /current-students/administration/fees/fee-schedules |
Staffing
Course Coordinator:
Overview
This course focuses on the notion of the teenager and young adult as they have been constructed in literature, and the ways in which literary narratives of youth in turn affect social and cultural understandings of the experience of growing up. It takes a literary approach to the study of a range of novels, films, poetry, and shorter fiction, considering narrative modes, structures, and genres. This reinforces the literary skills introduced in first-year Literature courses. The course is critical for students of English Literature, including those in the Bachelor of Secondary Education (BSED).
The emerging field of study--Young Adult Literature (YA)--provides a critical framework for an investigation of the historical concept of childhood and the invention of the teenager in the twentieth century. In Literature, young adulthood is more than a developmental stage; it is also a representation of transformation and social change. These transformations will be explored in terms of their cultural and historical context using relevant literary theories. By reading young adult fiction, you will engage with adolescent issues, particularly diverse and marginalised groups, and explore the perceived threats of adolescent rebellion.
Course learning outcomes
On completion of this course students should be able to demonstrate:
- identify and explain literary and generic features of narrative forms related to YA fiction including novel, poetry, film and short prose;
- apply disciplinary concepts, current criticism, and relevant literary theories to explaining the relevance of historical, cultural and social contexts to young adult fiction, its themes and issues;
- construct a coherent written argument using textual evidence from the primary source and by locating, assessing and selecting appropriate secondary reference;
- evidence an ability to communicate effectively using appropriate scholarly conventions, including MLA referencing, applying the norms and practices of ethical inquiry;
- critically analyse and reflect on the usefulness of YA literature as sites for re-imagining and re-forming society, transforming culture and enacting social change.
Topics
Description | Weighting(%) | |
---|---|---|
1. | Historical childhoods and the Bildungsroman | 10.00 |
2. | Inventing the Teenager | 15.00 |
3. | Diversity and Young Adult Literature: Sex and Sexuality | 25.00 |
4. | Diversity and Young Adult Literature: Politics of Race | 25.00 |
5. | The Teen and Technology: Stories of Adolescent Rebellion | 25.00 |
Text and materials required to be purchased or accessed
(Film - available for view through EduTV.)
Student workload expectations
To do well in this subject, students are expected to commit approximately 10 hours per week including class contact hours, independent study, and all assessment tasks. If you are undertaking additional activities, which may include placements and residential schools, the weekly workload hours may vary.
Assessment details
Description | Group Assessment |
Weighting (%) | Course learning outcomes |
---|---|---|---|
Online forums | No | 10 | 1,2,5 |
Critique (written) | No | 30 | 2,3,4 |
Quiz | No | 20 | 1,2 |
Essay | No | 40 | 2,3,4 |