Units
Wonderlands: Literature and Culture in the 19th Century
Unit code: KWB308
Contact hours: 3 per week
Credit points: 12
Information about fees and unit costs
This unit considers important contemporary cultural and social questions by way of readings in science fiction, fantasy fiction and fiction, class ideologies and revolutionary politics from a selection of novels and poetry of the nineteenth century. The novels and poems examine political and social change in Europe between 1790 and 1900, with a view to making critical links between current ideologies and literary forms and their formulation in a nineteenth century text. As such, works ranging from Frankenstein to Alice in Wonderland are deployed to consider the textual representations of important cultural, social, and sexual issues.
Availability
| Semester | Available |
|---|---|
| 2013 Semester 1 | Yes |
Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013
Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.
Rationale
The unit addresses the important cultural, social and political movements of nineteenth century Britain by way of a selection of fiction and non-fiction texts. These texts include varied works from science fiction, fantasy and realist modes as a way of examining political and social change in Europe between 1790 and 1900. Links are made to nineteenth century contexts and contemporary culture.
Aims
This unit aims to provide you with a literary understanding of key political, social and cultural formations of nineteenth-century Britain. In so doing, it is hoped that you will gain an appreciation of important changes in the nineteenth-century in order to further your understanding of contemporary literary and cultural forms.
Objectives
On completion of this unit you should be able to:
1. demonstrate an understanding of the major historical, political, scientific, social and cultural contexts of nineteenth century writing;
2. articulate an appreciation of changing concepts of authorship and authority in the period;
3. demonstrate an awareness of the profound ideological tensions and contradictions of thought that influence nineteenth-century writing;
4. discern developments and evolutionary changes in the two major genres under discussion - the novel and poetry
5. provide a critical insight into the above via oral and written expression.
Content
The unit addresses content such as an introduction to the nineteenth-century by way of Romantic poetry and continues with readings from prose and drama. Genres discussed include realist fiction, fantasy, and science fiction. As well, extracts from important non-fiction works (such as material from the works of Karl Marx and Charles Darwin) are considered. Works from major writers are selected in order to provide an overview of nineteenth-century issues, and this selection is complemented by a range of theoretical approaches in examining the works in question.
Approaches to Teaching and Learning
The unit has lectures, using a range of media, and tutorials. Tutorials are based on group discussion as well as the presentation of short papers. The tutorials are designed to provide a discussion base and experience in leading group discussions, as well as the consideration of lecture material.
Assessment
LATE ASSIGNMENTS
An assignment submitted after the due date without an approved extension will not be marked. If you are unable to complete your assignment on time, you should submit on time whatever work you have done.
Faculty Assessment Information
To access the Creative Industries Faculty Assessment Information see the Blackboard site for this unit.FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT
You will receive formative feedback on your progress in this unit during tutorials and discussions throughout the semester. Weight: 0%
Assessment name:
Essay
Description:
Writing Portfolio - Major Research Essay or Creative Piece plus a Reflective Passage - (Summative and Formative) Either a 2000 word research essay addressing themes of the unit that must follow the conventions of the formal essay or a 2000 word creative piece which also addresses key themes of the unit. In addition, you will also hand in one reflective passage of 500 words of another text not covered in the research essay or creative piece.
Relates to objectives:
1, 3 - 5
Weight:
60%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
Mid-late semester
Assessment name:
Examination (Theory)
Description:
(Summative) 2 hours plus 20 mins perusal, based on short essay responses to a range of questions that are designed to you're your understanding of important issues in nineteenth-century studies.
Relates to objectives:
1, 4, 5
Weight:
40%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
End of semester
Academic Honesty
QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.
A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.
Resource materials
Required Text
Key texts include:
Other texts include material by the romantic poets, Karl Marx, and Charles Darwin (in extract form). A complete list is available from the QUT Bookshop.
Risk assessment statement
There are no out of the ordinary risks associated with this unit.
Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.
Last modified: 04-Oct-2012
