Contemporary Travel Narratives (HEA419)
School of English, Journalism and European Languages - University of Tasmania
Semester 1 / 2009

Texts

y separately published work icon Sing, and Don't Cry : A Mexican Journal Cate Kennedy , Yarraville : Transit Lounge , 2005 Z1210039 2005 single work autobiography travel (taught in 1 units) During the 1990s Cate Kennedy worked in Mexico as a volunteer with Australian Volunteers Abroad assisting with a rural-development organisation.
y separately published work icon Tracks Robyn Davidson , London : Jonathan Cape , 1980 Z811575 1980 single work autobiography travel (taught in 8 units)

Robyn Davidson tells the story of her 1977 journey across the desert, from Alice Springs to Western Australia. She and a Pitjantjara elder completed their crossing on camel's back. Tracks is the story of her adventure, not only across the desert, but also into self-discovery, and the discovery of the beauty, nobility, and history of the country and its people. (Source: Trove)
The Atlantic Sound!$!Caryl Phillips!$! !$!!$!2001
In Patagonia!$!Bruce Chatwin!$! !$!!$!1977
The Voices of Marrakesh!$!Elias Canetti!$! !$!!$!1967

Description

Travel narratives provide a rich opportunity to examine the relationship between texts and cultures. This unit explores 20th century travel narratives in conjunction with contemporary theories about travel and travel writing. It enables students to engage with a wide range of texts (from travel theory to travel writing, novels, and film) in a stimulating critical framework. Key issues pertinent to contemporary literary and cultural studies are addressed, including questions about cross-cultural encounters; the legacies of colonialism and empire and continuing forms of imperialism; the tourist gaze; writing the travelling self; technology and modernity; postmodern travel and narrative; and metaphors of travel and their particularized use in contemporary theory.

Assessment

Coursework: 100%. This comprises a piece or pieces of writing that make up to 5000 words in total, but with an option as to methodology in terms of essay length(s). You can choose ONE of the following options:

1. A 1000 word critical exercise due on 4pm Monday 30 March 2009 (worth 30% of your overall mark) PLUS a 4000 word research essay due on 4pm Friday 22 May 2009 (worth 70% of your overall mark)

OR

2. ONE stand-alone research essay of 5000 words due on 4pm Friday 22 May 2009 and worth 100% of your overall mark

Supplementary Texts

The Darjeeling Ltd., Wes Anderson (2007)

Beneath Clouds, Ivan Sen (2002)

Other Details

Levels: Undergraduate - Honours
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