COMPLIT 709 : Reading Across Cultures

Arts

2024 Semester One (1243) (30 POINTS)

Course Prescription

An advanced level review of approaches to the study of literature across cultures. Tests the potential and limits of theories of literature in the study of literary texts from many cultures and periods. Includes cross-cultural perspectives on authorship, intertextuality, reader-centred theories, literary translation, post-colonial literature, gender and sexuality, as well as reading across disciplines.

Course Overview

This postgraduate seminar offers an advanced introduction to the main traditions in theory. We discuss how theories originate, how they challenge and extend earlier theories, and how they can be used to read texts from around the world comparatively.
In addition to situating the various theories in relation to each other we will be interested in the purposes of theory and why it is so important, today more than ever. The seminar will be very “hands-on”, with students considering the texts studied in relation to their own work and/or interests, whatever these happen to be.

Course Requirements

Restriction: COMPLIT 705

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: People and Place
Capability 2: Sustainability
Capability 3: Knowledge and Practice
Capability 4: Critical Thinking
Capability 5: Solution Seeking
Capability 6: Communication

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Situate theory within national and international contexts and understand the main debates about theory. (Capability 3, 4, 5 and 6)
  2. Demonstrate specific knowledge of the development theory and understand how theory engages with local, national and global concerns. (Capability 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6)
  3. Communicate interpretations of cultural and political issues using theory in a persuasive manner. (Capability 1, 3, 4 and 5)
  4. Research issues through the lens of different theories. (Capability 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6)
  5. Analyse theory's connections to institutional, industrial, historical and cultural formations and practices. (Capability 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Coursework 100% Individual Coursework
Students write two in-class essays and submit one essay of ca. 6000 words.  

Workload Expectations

This course is a 30 point course and students are expected to spend 20 hours per week, including class time and personal study and assignment preparation.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is required at scheduled activities including classes to receive credit for components of the course.

Lectures/discussion will be available as recordings. 
The course will not include live online events.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.


Learning Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

A combination of articles, essays, and film clips will be provided.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Students have expressed a high level of satisfaction with the course structure and assessments.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed for potential plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct, using computerised detection mechanisms.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Well-being always comes first
We all go through tough times during the semester, or see our friends struggling. There is lots of help out there - for more information, look at this Canvas page https://canvas.auckland.ac.nz/courses/33894, which has links to various support services in the University and the wider community.

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption, we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course students may be asked to submit coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.

Published on 14/11/2023 10:09 a.m.