That Eye, the Sky
Melbourne
:
McPhee Gribble
,
1986
Z426161
1986
single work
novel
young adult
(taught in 8 units)
Ort knows the sky is watching. He knows what it means to watch; he spends long hours listening at doors and peering through cracks. Things are terribly wrong. His father is withering away, his sister is consumed by hatred, his grandmother is all inside herself, and his mother, a flower-child of the 1960s, is brave but helpless. Then a strange man appears at their door. That Eye, the Sky is about love, about a boy's vision of the world beyond, about the blurry distinctions between the natural and the supernatural. All this, and more, begins at the moment the ute driven by Ort Flack's father ploughs into a roadside tree, throwing the whole world out of kilter. (Source: Bookseller's website)
The Secret River
Melbourne
:
Text Publishing
,
2005
Z1194031
2005
single work
novel
historical fiction
(taught in 69 units)
'In 1806 William Thornhill, a man of quick temper and deep feelings, is transported from the slums of London to New South Wales for the term of his natural life. With his wife Sal and their children he arrives in a harsh land he cannot understand.
'But the colony can turn a convict into a free man. Eight years later Thornhill sails up the Hawkesbury to claim a hundred acres for himself.
'Aboriginal people already live on that river. And other recent arrivals - Thomas Blackwood, Smasher Sullivan and Mrs Herring - are finding their own ways to respond to them.
'Thornhill, a man neither better nor worse than most, soon has to make the most difficult choice of his life.
'Inspired by research into her own family history, Kate Grenville vividly creates the reality of settler life, its longings, dangers and dilemmas. The Secret River is a brilliantly written book, a groundbreaking story about identity, belonging and ownership.' (From the publisher's website.)
Course Objectives:
Students will develop:
1.A sound knowledge of the structures and techniques used in the writing of various forms of literature (drama, novel and poetry) and in the creation of film.
2.a sound knowledge of the terminology used in the analysis of literature and film, and the ways in which to use it.
3. Some understanding of the variety of critical approaches that may be employed in the study of literature and film.
4. The ability to develop independent responses to a variety of literary texts.
5. The ability to work collaboratively in small groups.
6. The skills necessary to think critically and respond appropriately in both written and oral forms to a variety of fictional texts.
7. The skills necessary to write an academic essay.
Course Content:
Through a range of literary texts this course will focus on two major areas. The first is the representation of the relationship between identities and different types of Australian environments and social contexts, including those of rural, suburban and urban Australia. The second part of the course concentrates on the study of narrative and the role of storytelling. It deals with many different types of stories and storytellers and the importance of narrative in our lives. Students will be encouraged to explore the ways in which literary texts generate meaning through story (what is told) and discourse (the manner of their telling).
Essays / Written Assignments: Short tutorial essay
Essays / Written Assignments: Two major essays: presentation of coherent argument in appropriate academic form on different literary genre.
Essays / Written Assignments: Two written exercises: Critical analysis of different forms of literary genre.
Examination: Formal: Final examination in the University examination period.
Presentations - Group: One oral group presentation: discussion of representations of Australian identities.
