Unit Outline

From bookshops to classrooms, book clubs to libraries, literary festivals and the literary media, pulp fiction, pop fiction, lit fiction, online and offline: How do we engage with literary texts today? How does literature become a brand? How are the values ascribed to literature formed, circulated, and modified? This unit considers key aspects of contemporary literary culture that shape the way we perceive and consume literary texts. Topics to be considered will include school curricula, literary prizes, marketing, and phenomena such as literary festivals and bookclubs, and students will have the opportunity to construct and critically reflect upon their own bookish activities.

Intended Learning Outcomes

As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.

On completion of this unit, you will be able to:


1	Analyse cultural, social and industrial contexts of contemporary literary culture
2	Apply disciplinary knowledge and skills to investigate specific research problems in the study of contemporary literary culture
3	Evaluate contemporary literary discourse and practice
4	Communicate through formal oral and/or audiovisual presentations as well as scholarly writing

Requisites


REQUISITE TYPE	REQUISITES
Pre-requisite	25 credit points at Introductory level or higher

Alterations as a result of student feedback

Based on prior student feedback, the organisation of online materials has been revised.

How will I be Assessed?

For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.

Assessment schedule


ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:	Participation	See the MyLO site for the due date	10 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 2:	Group Podcast on a Literary Cultures Topic	See the MyLO site for the due date	20 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 3:	Research Report	Week 6	20 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 4:	Research Project	Week 13	50 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Participation

Task Description:

n/a

Task Length:

Due Date:

See the MyLO site for the due date

Weight:

10 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Participate constructively, inclusively, and on-topic in online or in-class discussions (for face-to-face students) or in in weekly Padlet or other online tasks (for online students), demonstrating knowledge of the set texts	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

Assessment Task 2: Group Podcast on a Literary Cultures Topic

Task Description:

This task gives students the opportunity to lead a group-based inquiry in contemporary literary studies, through the design and delivery of a group podcast on a set topic.

Task Length:

A 10-15 minute podcast in which all group members participate, uploaded by Wednesday of the assigned week.

Due Date:

See the MyLO site for the due date

Weight:

20 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Research the given topic and develop an argument and talking points in preparation for the recorded podcast	LO1, LO2
2	Record and upload a podcast, using software of your choice, that articulates theoretical and practical knowledge of studies in contemporary literary culture based on the selected weekly reading, other texts in the unit, and applied examples	LO1, LO2, LO3
3	Employ appropriate and effective techniques for academic oral presentation	LO4

Assessment Task 3: Research Report

Task Description:

Research Report

Task Length:

1,000 words

Due Date:

Week 6

Weight:

20 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Design an appropriate case study for your research report through choosing a literary text and 5 key artefacts, which should be as varied as possible.	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
2	Describe and analyse the ways in which the artefacts participate or intervene in literary culture by positioning the primary literary text in relation to the literary prize.	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
3	Support your analysis with reference to a range of secondary critical literature set as readings in the unit.	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
4	Communicate effectively in written form using a logical and appropriate structure that meets the task requirements; adheres to conventions of formal written English (word choice, grammar, punctuation and spelling); and conforms to MLA style for prese	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

Assessment Task 4: Research Project

Task Description:

This assessment task gives students the opportunity to complete an independent research project.

Task Length:

3,500 words or equivalent

Due Date:

Week 13

Weight:

50 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Select or devise an independent research project topic based in critical scholarly research, completing a formal written proposal comprising research questions, abstract and bibliography	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
2	Analyse the primary object/s of your research project, and their production, circulation, and or reception in contemporary literary culture	LO1, LO2, LO3
3	Support your analysis using evidence from a wide range of primary and secondary sources relevant to the topic	LO1, LO2, LO3
4	Communicate effectively in written form using a logical and appropriate structure that meets the task requirements; adheres to conventions of formal written English (word choice, grammar, punctuation and spelling); and conforms to MLA style for prese	LO4
5	Self-assessment on development of essay, including reflective response to initial feedback on proposal	LO2, LO3

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.

Submission of assignments

Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.

Academic integrity

Academic integrity is about acting responsibly, honestly, ethically, and collegially when using, producing, and communicating information with other students and staff members.

In written work, you must correctly reference the work of others to maintain academic integrity. To find out the referencing style for this unit, see the assessment information in the MyLO site, or contact your teaching staff. For more detail about Academic Integrity, see Important Guidelines & Support.

Requests for extensions

If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.

A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.

The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.

Late penalties

Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.

Review of results and appeals

You are entitled to ask for a review of the marking and grading of your assessment task if there is an irregularity in the marking standards or an error in the process for determining the outcome of an assessment. Details on how to request a review of a mark for an assignment are outlined in the Review and Appeal of Academic Decisions Procedure.