AMU2017 · Reading literature

Overview

The primary aim of this elective is to encourage you to actively, ethically and critically read literature, whether originally written in, or translated into, English, in order to underscore its importance as aesthetic expression, cultural heritage and social memory. Covering classical and contemporary works from Western and non-Western writers, the unit will include poetry, the short story and play, and also introduce you to a wide variety of styles and genres (e.g., realism, science-fiction, horror, modernist, postmodernist, allegory, parody, satire, postcolonial, etc.), It is designed for students with little to no background in literary studies, and hence can be taken by students across the campus. Lectures will be conducted to simulate a reading group to create a more relaxed, conversational atmosphere with weekly set texts and accompanying questions for you to consider for discussion and group activities during the session. By the end of the semester, you will be able to demonstrate critical thinking when reading literature that takes into account ethical questions and is informed by an understanding of the cultural and historical contexts in which it was written and/or its relationship to respective authors.

Offerings

Assessment

The Handbook does not list a final examination among the assessment items. That is not a guarantee there is none.

Within semester assessment: 100%

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Requisites

The Handbook lists no prerequisite, corequisite or prohibition for this unit.

Learning outcomes

1. Discuss the value of literature to culture and society;
2. Explain different literary genres and their corresponding conventions, and understand the significance of the latter;
3. Critically approach literary works in the context of ethics, history, culture, and/or relationship with respective authors;
4. Perform basic analysis of literary works that yields valid meanings;
5. Work in a team to demonstrate the ability to participate effectively in collaborative effort.

Workload

Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning and online engagement.

Student experience, not official rules. Nothing here changes what the Handbook says.