Wild Writing: The Australian Imaginary

Subject 670-326 (2008)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2008.Search for this in the current handbookSearch for this in the current handbook

Credit Points: 12.500
Level: Undergraduate
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2008:

Semester 1, - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: A 1.5-hour lecture and a 1-hour tutorial per week
Total Time Commitment: Not available
Prerequisites: Usually 12.5 points of first year English.
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

Coordinator

Jennifer Rutherford
Subject Overview:

In order to be inhabited Australia had first to be named, mapped, imagined and thereby invented. From this process of invention, a new poetics emerges enmeshed in a complex raft of inter-subjective and intercultural dialogue and conflict. Drawing on key Australian literary texts we will explore how succesive writers have engaged with the new - inter-racial, environmental, social and sexual dynamics of the emerging culture. Themes to explore include narratives of domicile and domicide, exile and incarceration, tropes of the unbound house, of a "scribbling" nature, a haunted earth, and of broken mirrors.

Assessment: One class paper of 1000 words 25% (due during the semester) and one essay of 3000 words 75% (due at the end of the semester). Students are required to attend a minimum of 9 tutorials in order to qualify to have their written work assessed.
Prescribed Texts: Prescribed Texts:A subject reader will be available from the University Bookshop.For the Term of his Natural Life (M Clarke) Bush Studies (B Baynton) Seven Poor Men of Sydney (C Stead) Remembering Babylon (D Malouf) A Fringe of Leaves (P White) While the Billy Boils (H Lawson) Loaded (C Tsolkas)
Breadth Options: This subject is a level 2 or level 3 subject and is not available to new generation degree students as a breadth option in 2008.
This subject or an equivalent will be available as breadth in the future.
Breadth subjects are currently being developed and these existing subject details can be used as guide to the type of options that might be available.
2009 subjects to be offered as breadth will be finalised before re-enrolment for 2009 starts in early October.
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:

  • be able to apply new research skills and critical methods to a field of inquiry;

  • develop critical self-awareness and shape and strengthen persuasive arguments;

  • communicate arguments and ideas effectively and articulately, both in writing and to others.
Notes:

Students who have completed 106-046 Australia and the Colonial Imaginary are not eligible to enrol in this subject.

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