Language, Literature and Society

Subject 460-719 (2009)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2009. Search for this in the current handbook

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 9 (Graduate/Postgraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2009:

Hawthorn Campus
For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 24 hours
Total Time Commitment: Not available
Prerequisites: None
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

Subject Overview: This subject explores the relationship between literary works and their language through the close reading and analysis of material in a range of genres. Students will examine the linguistic features of contrasting texts from different periods, and different sociolcultural and political contexts. They will be introduced to such critical concepts as narrative and dramatic structure, character, point of view in novels and drama, as well as poetic form, convention, persona, imagery and symbolism in a selection of poems.
Objectives: Students who successfully complete this subject should be able to:
  • understand the relationship between a literary text and its language;
  • appreciate the power of language and literary texts to illuminate the political and sociocultural contexts in which they are produced;
  • analyse critically the language used in a range of literary texts;
  • understand a range of literary concepts and devices.
Assessment: Assignments totalling 4,000 words or equivalent (100%)
Prescribed Texts: None
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Related Course(s): Master of English as an International Language

Download PDF version.