ENGL 3045 - The Question of Postmodernism: Texts and Issues

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2022

Postmodernism? Nothing about this term is unproblematic, nothing about it is entirely satisfactory. So begins Brian McHale's study, Postmodernist Fiction. In this course we'll consider the relation between the terms Modernism and Postmodernism, and the relation between Postmodernism and the other -isms and posts- of our time, through our reading of a set of literary texts written in or translated into English, in different countries, over the last half-century or so. Our major focus will be on these texts, which may include novels, short stories, drama and poetry, with a secondary focus on literary theory. Apart from the pleasures of reading and engaging in critical discussion, our aim will be to gain some understanding of how the term Postmodernism is used by different theorists and critics, and how well and in what ways the concept addresses the concerns and procedures of the literary texts in our study. This course will in certain ways follow on from the course on Modernisms, but students who have not done that course are also welcome, and should not feel at a disadvantage.

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Course Details

Course Code	ENGL 3045
Course	The Question of Postmodernism: Texts and Issues
Coordinating Unit	English, Creative Writing, and Film
Term	Semester 2
Level	Undergraduate
Location/s	North Terrace Campus
Units	3
Contact	Up to 3 hours per week
Available for Study Abroad and Exchange	Y
Prerequisites	At least 6 units of Level II undergraduate study
Incompatible	ENGL 2065
Assessment	Participation 10%, Seminar presentation 10%, Seminar essay 40%, Take-home exam 40%

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Professor Julian Murphet

Course Timetable

The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from .

Course Learning Outcomes

After successfully completing this course, students should be able to:

1. Read and understand Postmodernist texts and critical discussions of them
2. Draw upon a range of Postmodernist concepts in the context of literary
discussion
3. Discuss Postmodernist literary texts in the historical and cultural context
of their production
4. Write coherent and logically argued written material, based on evidence, and engage in evidence-based critical debate
5. Work with others in the exploration of ideas, the negotiation of solution to problems, and the production of written and spoken materials
6. Collaborate and engage productively and respectfully with their peers
7. Use technologies relevant to the university learning environment

最新糖心Vlog Graduate Attributes

This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

最新糖心Vlog Graduate Attribute	Course Learning Outcome(s)
Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.	1,2,3
Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.	1,2,3,4,5
Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.	4,5,6
Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.	5,6,7
Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.	3,5,6
Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.	5,6

Learning Resources
Required Resources
WEEK
1. Poetry by Allen Ginsberg, Diane Di Prima, and Frank O’Hara
2. Thomas Pynchon, The Crying of Lot 49 (1966)
3. Selected Short Stories (Various authors: Borges, Barthelme, Jennifer Egan, Cortazar, Atwood)
4. E. L. Doctorow, Ragtime (1975)
5. Videodrome (Cronenberg, Canada, 1983) [Film]
6. Ishmael Reed, Mumbo Jumbo (1972)
7. Kathy Acker, Blood & Guts in High School (1978)
8. Lyn Hejinian, My Life (1980)
9. Near Dark (Bigelow, USA, 1987)
10. J. M. Coetzee, Foe (1986)
11. John Ashbery, selected poems
12. Patricia Lockwood, No One Is Talking About This (2021)
Recommended Resources

The English Resources Guide on the Barr Smith Library site has a page devoted to Modernism and Postmodernism:

Click on literary periods, then Modernism and postmodernism

Online Learning

Additional online material will be available though Canvas, and all lectures will be recorded and available for download.

Learning & Teaching Modes

Lectures will introduce students to the cultural and historical out of which postmodernism emerged, and some key conceptual terms relating to postmodernism, as well as introducing them to the set texts and some of the critical frames through which they have been read. In seminars students will explore the set texts and conceptual terms in greater depth, focussing on areas of difficulty through tutor-directed tasks and questions, and student led-discussions. Student research skills will be developed through student-led discussions, seminar research essays and the major research essay.

Workload

The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

WORLOAD-STRUCTURED LEARNING TOTAL HOURS
1x1 hour lecture per week 12
1X2 hour seminar per week for 10 weeks 20

WORLOAD-SELF-DIRECTED LEARNING
6 hours reading per week 72 hours per semester
2 hours research per week 24 hours er semester
2 hours assignment preparation per week 24 hours per semester

TOTAL= 156 hours per semester

Learning Activities Summary

WEEK	LECTURE TOPIC	TUTORIAL TOPIC
1	Poetry by Allen Ginsberg, Diane Di Prima, and Frank O’Hara
2	Thomas Pynchon, The Crying of Lot 49 (1966)	Poetry by Allen Ginsberg, Diane Di Prima, and Frank O’Hara
3	Selected Short Stories (Various authors: Borges, Barthelme, Jennifer Egan, Cortazar, Atwood)	Thomas Pynchon, The Crying of Lot 49 (1966)
4	E. L. Doctorow, Ragtime (1975)	Selected Short Stories (Various authors: Borges, Barthelme, Jennifer Egan, Cortazar, Atwood)
5	Videodrome (Cronenberg, Canada, 1983) [Film]	E. L. Doctorow, Ragtime (1975)
6	Ishmael Reed, Mumbo Jumbo (1972)	Videodrome (Cronenberg, Canada, 1983) [Film]
7	Kathy Acker, Blood & Guts in High School (1978)	Ishmael Reed, Mumbo Jumbo (1972)
8	Lyn Hejinian, My Life (1980)	Kathy Acker, Blood & Guts in High School (1978)
9	Near Dark (Bigelow, USA, 1987) [Film]	Lyn Hejinian, My Life (1980)
10	J. M. Coetzee, Foe (1986)	Near Dark (Bigelow, USA, 1987) [Film]
11	John Ashbery, selected poems	J. M. Coetzee, Foe (1986)
12	Patricia Lockwood, No One Is Talking About This (2021)	John Ashbery, selected poems

Specific Course Requirements

No specific requirements

The 最新糖心Vlog's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
Assessment must maintain academic standards.

Assessment Summary

Short Written Exercise: 20% (1000 words)

Research Essay: 50% (2500 words)

Take-Home Examination: 30% (1500 words)

Assessment Related Requirements

Assessment will include close textual analysis, a research essay, and a take home exam.

Assessment Detail

To be confirmed

Submission

All work will be submitted via Turnitin

Course Grading

Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
Grade	Mark	Description
FNS		Fail No Submission
F	1-49	Fail
P	50-64	Pass
C	65-74	Credit
D	75-84	Distinction
HD	85-100	High Distinction
CN		Continuing
NFE		No Formal Examination
RP		Result Pending

Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

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