Postmodernism

Subject ENGL20006 (2010)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2010.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 2 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2010:

Semester 2, Parkville - 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

On Campus

Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 2.5 A 1.5-hour lecture and a 1-hour tutorial per week.
Total Time Commitment: 102
Prerequisites: Completion of at least 12.5 points at first year in English or one of the Faculty of Art's Interdisciplinary Foundation (IDF) subjects
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: 670-323 Postmodernism
Core Participation Requirements: For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the 3Disability Liaison Unit website: 4http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Contact

David Bennett

d.b@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:

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.
Objectives:

Students successfully completing this subject will:

  • have a general understandiing of theories of postmodernity as a period of socio-cultural history, and of postmodernism as a set of aesthetic tendencies and stylistic practices evident across the board of the arts and entertainment media in this period;
  • be able to apply these theories to the analysis of specific texts, films and architectural designs.
Assessment:

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). A hurdle requirement of class participation and attendance at a minimum of nine tutorials is required in order to submit work for assessment.

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

Prescribed Texts: A subject reader will be available.
  • Blood and Guts in High School (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)
Films may include:
  • The Truman Show ( dir. P. Weir)
  • Natural Born Killers (dir. O Stone)
Recommended Texts:
  • The Routledge Companion to Postmodernism (ed S. Sim)
  • Beginning Postmodernism (T. Woods)
  • Poststructuralism: A Very Short Introduction (C. Belsey)
Breadth Options:

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

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.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills: Students who successfully complete this subject will:

  • 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 competed 670-323 Postmodernism are not eligible to enrol in this subject
Related Course(s): Bachelor of Arts(Media and Communications)
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: English
English
English
English Literary Studies Major
European Studies Major
Social Theory
Social Theory Major

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