Postmodernism

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2009:

Usually 12.5 points of first year English, or 50 points of first year arts including 12.5 pts from an approved study area and completion of the first year Cultural Studies subject 106-101 for students completing a cultural studies major, or 12.5 pts of European studies.

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

This subject is an introduction to the major theories of postmodernism as a cultural and aesthetic category and postmodernity as a socio-historical concept, demonstrating their application to the critical analysis of literature, cinema, television and architecture. The subject combines a strong emphasis on theory with opportunities for case studies of specific postmodern texts, both verbal and visual. It aims to provide students with a general understanding of theories of postmodern society and of postmodernism as a set of aesthetic tendencies and stylistic practices evident across the board of the arts, architecture, TV and other popular entertainment media.

Tutorial participation and a 5-minute class paper presentation 10%, an essay of 1500 words 40% (due mid-semester) and an essay of 2500 words 50% (due at the end of semester). Students are required to attend a minimum of 9 tutorials in order to qualify to have their written work assessed.

Assessment submitted late without an approved formal extension will be penalised at 2% per day. Students who fail to submit up to 2-weeks after the final due date without a formal extension and/or special consideration will receive a fail grade for the piece of assessment.

• Great Expectations (K Acker)
• White Noise (D De Lillo)
• The Book of Daniel (E L Doctorow)
• The Crying of Lot 49 (T Pynchon)
• Shame (S Rushdie)
• Slaughterhouse Five (K Vonnegut)
• Poststructuralism: A Very Short Introduction (C Belsey), OUP
• Postmodernism: A Very Short Introduction (C Butler), OUP
• The Matrix (Films: A & L Wachowski, dirs)
• Natural Born Killers (O Stone, dir)

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

• Bachelor of Biomedicine
• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Environments
• Bachelor of Music
• Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Engineering

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

• 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.

This subject is available at 2nd or 3rd year level to students undertaking a Cultural Studies major.