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Copyright © Monash University 1998 - All Rights Reserved - Caution
Subjects
under this heading are taught by the Centre for Comparative Literature and
Cultural Studies or are taught by other departments and made available to
students under a centre code. The centre is an interdepartmental and
interdisciplinary teaching unit, maintained by the Faculty of Arts, with
responsibility for teaching and research in three main areas of work:
comparative literature, cultural studies and critical theory.
Comparative literature is the study of literature in ways which go
beyond particular national or linguistic boundaries. In practice, comparative
literary studies are of two main kinds: substantive studies of the literature
of two or more languages or literary cultures; and generalising studies of the
literary process itself, for example literary history, the sociology of
literature or psychological approaches to literature. Texts studied in the
centre at undergraduate level are all taught in English or in English
translation, but knowing a language other than English is helpful, and those
students with no exposure to one are strongly encouraged to pick up the study
of a language.
Cultural studies is the study of cultural texts, spaces and practices,
including texts that are not normally included in the canon of high literature
(the texts of popular fiction, television or cinema, for example). These
aspects of culture are studied in relation to the various social, historical
and other contexts within which cultures manifest themselves.
Critical theory is a term which has come to signify a number of
contemporary approaches to textual and cultural criticism, for example,
hermeneutics, structuralism, semiotics, poststructuralism, theories of
ideology, psychoanalytic theory, and so on. Such theories have also been
central to, for instance, recent work in anthropology, philosophy, English,
performance studies and film studies.
Students enrolled in sequences offered by the centre may combine courses from
any of these areas.
The
Centre for Comparative Literature and Cultural Studies aims to develop in
students a cumulative knowledge of three interconnected areas of work:
comparative literature, cultural studies and critical theory. All three extend
and develop students' appreciation of the nature of texts, culture and society.
The distinctiveness of the literary part of the program consists in the way
students are encouraged to analyse literature as an international rather than a
national phenomenon, and also as one aspect of wider cultural practices and
issues. The stress on comparative 'world' literature is unique to Monash (no
other Australian university teaches a full major sequence in comparative
literature). The connection between literary and cultural studies is also
distinctive (many cultural studies programs define themselves against
literature). The centre is also particularly strong in the area of critical
theory and offers sophisticated and contemporary methodological approaches
which are of use to students over a wide range of disciplines.
The completion of a major sequence in this program should enable students
to:
The Faculty of Arts teaches programs in some closely interconnected areas concerned in one way or another with the study of texts and textuality. These include comparative literature, critical theory, cultural studies, drama and theatre studies, English literature and fiction writing.
For details consult the entries under Drama and theatre
studies; English; Film and television studies.
In many cases more than one of these programs can be taken together (eg a
double major in English and Comparative Literature and Cultural Studies is a
possible and useful combination), but the Faculty does limit the overall number
of closely related subjects that may be legitimately combined in one degree.
A first-year sequence in the centre consists of either (a) CLS1010 (or ENH1111) and CLS1020 (or ENH1122), or (b) CLS1040 and CLS1050.
A minor sequence consists of either (a) a first-year sequence as described above or an appropriate first-year sequence in English, French or German studies, followed by two second-year level eight-point subjects (ie ones with a CLS code); or (b) two second-year level subjects in the centre followed by third-year level subjects in the centre totalling at least twelve points.
A major sequence consists of (a) a first-year sequence as described above, or an appropriate first-year sequence in English, French or German studies, plus (b) a minimum of two second-year level eight-point subjects in the centre (ie ones with a CLS code), plus (c) third-year level courses in the centre totalling a minimum of twenty-four points.
Coordinator:
Chris Worth
An honours course in the centre can have an emphasis on comparative literature,
cultural studies or critical theory. The honours sequence consists of CLS4080
and CLS4000, and further fourth-year level subjects in the centre (ie ones
with a CLS code) with a combined value of forty-eight points. Mid-year entry is
offered by the centre. Students writing fourth-year theses in comparative
literature are normally required to consider literary texts in their original
languages.
Departments may grant an extension of time for submission of the honours thesis
or for final coursework up to the last day of the examination period of the
semester in which the work is due. Applications for extensions beyond this date
must be made to the Committee for Undergraduate Studies.
Combined honours may be taken in comparative literature and cultural studies (a title which includes critical theory) and another discipline provided that all honours requirements have been met in both disciplines and subject to the approval of the heads of both departments/centres.
The centre awards the Douglas Muecke Prize annually for the best thesis submitted within the centre.
The centre offers an MA program by research and coursework in cultural studies and critical theory. It offers opportunities for doing research for a PhD (or, exceptionally, an MA by research) in many areas of comparative literature, cultural studies and critical theory. For further information students should consult the Arts graduate handbook for 1999.
The Department of English has the following major objectives:
The department does not require students to take a compulsory core subject or subjects. It does encourage students to include in their degree subjects which will provide:
The department attempts at all levels to encourage the practices of close reading and critical textual analysis and of carefully produced professional writing. It is expected that students who have completed a minor in English should have a basic understanding of the way English scholars read and of the ways in which they write about what they read. It is expected that students who have completed a major in English will have a more advanced and conscious understanding of these matters, a wider knowledge of a number of historical periods and issues and a more sophisticated ability to synthesise and coordinate literary, textual and theoretical questions.
The English Department has close connections with a number of other teaching programs in the Faculty of Arts, all of which are concerned in one way or another with the study of 'texts' and 'textuality'. These are comparative literature, critical theory, cultural studies, drama and theatre studies, English literature and fiction writing and visual culture.
It is possible to take a double major
in any two of comparative literature and cultural studies, drama and theatre
studies, visual culture and English literature. A major in any one of these may
be combined with a minor sequence in any other or with a minor sequence in
critical theory.
Combined or double honours may also be taken in any two of comparative
literature and cultural studies, drama and theatre studies, visual culture and
English literature.
Two
subjects are offered to enable third-year students to continue with their
courses. These may of course be supplemented by subjects offered in the
Clayton-based Visual Culture department. To complete the major, students must
take seven subjects, consisting of compulsory first-year subjects; second-year
subjects totalling at least sixteen points, and third-year subjects totalling
at least twenty-four points. It is also strongly recommended that students take
the visual culture-based subject VSA2190/VSA3190 (Forms of narrative cinema).
Students will need to take one VSA subject to complete their majors.
To complete the minor, students must take four subjects, including the two
compulsory first-year subjects and any two others.
The
aims of fourth year are to develop further areas of competence outlined above.
Students are required to attend a compulsory four-week introduction to
disciplinary methodology at the beginning of the honours year and to pass its
assessment before proceeding.
The core element in fourth year is a compulsory subject in one of two specified
areas of critical theory. Both encourage students to work towards explicit
discussion of theory and of the nature of knowledge within the discipline.
The thesis is a training in research methodology and practice and should
produce an understanding and a critical awareness of the way in which knowledge
is constructed, and spoken and written, within the discipline.
All aspects of the fourth year require the development of spoken and written
skills in communication and a critical understanding of the discipline-specific
skills involved in the writing of the thesis and the successful completion of
core and optional subjects.
Intending fourth-year honours students are encouraged to consult as early as
possible with the fourth-year honours coordinator in planning their major
sequence.
The
Department of English offers a variety of subjects in the literatures of
Britain, Australia, America, and Asia and in a range of related areas.
In first year students are introduced to the study of English through a choice
of subject sequences. Each sequence has a different focus - the study of
English literature and the study of literary semiotics and comparative
literature. Each aims to introduce students to a variety of modes of reading
and to a number of ways of speaking and writing about what they read. Each
provides an introduction to the historical and contemporary study of literature
and to aspects of critical theory.
The majority of English students follow the literature sequence of ENH subjects
through both semesters. At Clayton, the 'Text and context' sequence, provided
by the Centre for Comparative Literature and Cultural Studies, may also lead
into later-year English subjects. Students at Clayton should note that these
CLS subjects are recommended as usefully supplementing English literature
subjects in the first year and that one of these sequences may be taken
alongside the ENH subjects.
Second and third-year subjects in English literature build on this foundation.
There are subjects which introduce students to the literature and culture of
different historical periods. Related subjects are offered in the following
fields: Australian studies, the theory and practice of children's literature,
critical theory, feminist theory and women's writing, postcolonial theory and
literature, the languages of literature, literary and visual semiotics and
performance studies, creative writing and professional writing. Students may
select from these areas to develop their major in English.
Students will find the expectations of the department outlined in subject
handbooks as they proceed through the degree.
The department provides consultation and advice on choice of subjects at first,
second, third and fourth-year levels to ensure that students choose suitable
and coherent subject sequences.
The department regards attendance at seminars and tutorials as compulsory. Students will be penalised for non-attendance.
At the graduate level the department offers a research MA and a PhD across a wide range of literary, cultural and theoretical studies. Library holdings for research are strong in the following areas: pre-1800 literature and culture including Elizabethan and Jacobean drama and poetry; seventeenth-century literature; eighteenth-century literature, in particular Swift and his milieu; American and Australian literature; nineteenth-century periodical and literary journalism; and bibliography and textual criticism. Staff research interests are diverse and cover all historical periods from Old English to the present, with particular strengths in pre-1800 literature, national literatures (American, Australian), genre studies (particularly drama), biography, women's studies, and bibliographical and textual criticism. For further information students should consult the Arts graduate studies handbook for 1999.
The Department of English offers the following prizes: the David Bradley Prize for the top student in first year; the W A G Scott Prize for the top student in second year; a prize for the top student in third year; the Brenda Niall Prize for Australian Literature to be awarded to a second/ third-year student; the Renaissance Literature Prize to be awarded to a second/third-year student; the Henry Handel Richardson Prize for the top student in fourth-year; the Arthur Brown Prize for the best fourth-year thesis and the Cecile Parrish Award (see the Arts graduate handbook for 1999).
In first year students may complete the minimum twelve points required to proceed to a minor or major sequence by taking ENH1010 (Reading literature I) and either ENH1220 (Reading literature II: worlds in conflict) or ENH1240 (Effective Writing).
A minor sequence consists of two first-year subjects (as stipulated above) and two of the second-year level subjects listed below.
A major sequence consists of a minor sequence as outlined above followed by three subjects taken at third-year level.
In 1999, the following subjects will be offered in the first semester:
The following subjects will be offered in the second semester:
Other second and third-year subjects are offered on the Clayton campus. Students who intend to complete a major sequence in English by taking subjects on the Clayton campus should read the requirements for choice of second and third-year subjects on that campus (below).
Students may complete their first year in English by taking one of the following sequences of subjects:
In
addition, with the permission of the head of department, students who have
completed CLS1010/ENH1111 (Text and context I) may proceed in second
semester to either ENH1220 (Reading literature II: worlds in conflict) or
ENH1230 (Language, style and literature) or ENH1240 (Effective writing).
Students intending to proceed to a minor or major sequence in comparative
literature and cultural studies (CLS) or drama and theatre studies (DTS) in
addition to English literature (ENH) must complete first-year sequences in
both their chosen disciplines.
Up to twelve additional points may be taken at first-year level; the three
subject sequences outlined above are complementary. Such additional points may
be taken in the later years of the degree, provided that the total number of
points gained in first-year level English subjects does not exceed twenty-four
and that the total number of points in English at all levels does not exceed
ninety-two.
A minor sequence in English consists of at least one first-year combination of subjects as listed above, followed by two second-year subjects.
A
major sequence in English consists of a minor sequence as outlined above
followed by twenty-four points of work at third-year level.
It is expected that students intending to major in English should choose
subjects which will provide them with:
Majoring students must include among the five subjects which they take in second and third years at least one earlier and one later-period subject (designated a and b in the lists below).
With
the exception of Old and Middle English subjects, any subject may be taken at
either second or third-year level. Students intending to take subjects in Old
or Middle English are reminded that ENH2020/ENH3020 is the prerequisite or
corequisite for both ENH2170/ENH3170 and ENH2190/ENH3190, and that the prerequisite
for ENH3390 is ENH2190/ENH3190. Except for ENH3390, no third-year English subject
has a specific prerequisite. Students may take only one of ENH2230/ENH3230
and ENH2630/ENH3630.
In all cases assignments will be set and assessed at the appropriate year
level.
An information session and consultation with staff will be available before
second/third year enrolment to help students make their choice of subjects.
The
following subjects will be offered in the first semester:
a ENH2020/ENH3020 Heroes, lovers and monsters: the literary culture of
medieval England
b ENH2060/ENH3060 Introduction to critical theory
b ENH2100/ENH3100 Postcolonial drama
a ENH2110/ENH3110 Renaissance literature: power and love
a ENH2170/ENH3170 Old English
b ENH2290/ENH3290 Authorship and Publishingb ENH2310/ENH3310
Romantic literature
b ENH2410/ENH3410 Puritans and sinners: the American
traditionb ENH2530/ENH3530 Contemporary English literature
b ENH2570/ENH3570 Writing women
a ENH2630/ENH3630 Shakespeare: text and performance (proposed to be
offered next in 2000)
b ENH2650/ENH3650 Poetry: text and performance
b ENH2660/ENH3660 Here and there: the literature of travel
b ENH2690/ENH3690 Gender and authority in Australian literature
b ENH2770/ENH3770 Short fiction: classic and contemporary
b ENH2930/ENH3930 National fictionsb ENH2980/ENH3980 Introduction
to fiction writing (subject to approval)
b ENH2990/ENH3990 Formative influences: children's fantasy narratives
(proposed to be offered next in 2000)
b ENH2991/ENH3991 Children's literature: a comparative study
b ENH3995 Writing in theory and practice: an introduction
a ENH3390 Middle English literature
The
following subjects will be offered in the second semester:
b ENH2030/ENH3030 Rewriting Victorian narratives: origins and oblivion
(Proposed to be offered next in 2000)
a ENH2050/ENH3050 The reader in history
a ENH2130/ENH3130 Rakes and Revolutionaries : literature and
opposition, 1660-1800
b ENH2150/ENH3150 Australian urban fictions
b ENH2160/ENH3160 Freudian fable (proposed to be offered next in
2000)
a ENH2190/ENH3190 Middle English
a ENH2230/ENH3230 Shakespeare: interpretations and transmutations
b ENH2260/ENH3260 Sexing the text
b ENH2270/ENH3270 Modern drama
b ENH2330/ENH3330 Victorian literature
a ENH2340/ENH3340 Literature and the Christian tradition
b ENH2450/ENH3450 Contemporary drama (Proposed to be offered next in
2000)
b ENH2470/ENH3470 Modern English literature: modernism and
postmodernism
b ENH2550/ENH3550 Romanticism and revolution (proposed to be offered
next in 2000)
b ENH2710/ENH3710 Orientations: reading Asia
b ENH2750/ENH3750 Contemporary women's fiction and theory
b ENH2800/ENH3800 In other worlds: postcolonial literature
b ENH2810/ENH3810 Novel into film
b ENH2981/ENH3981 Advanced fiction writing (subject to approval)
The following subjects introduce students to the literature and culture of
different historical periods: ENH2170/ENH3170 (Old English), ENH2020/ENH3020 and
ENH2190/ENH3190 (Middle English), ENH2110/ENH3110 (Renaissance), ENH2130/ENH3130
(Eighteenth century), ENH2310/ENH3310 (Romantic), ENH2330/ENH3330 and ENH2030/ENH3030
(Victorian), ENH2470/ENH3470 (Modern and postmodern), ENH2530/ENH3530 (Contemporary).
Any of the subjects in these lists may be taken singly or in other combinations. Some of the above subjects may not be offered in 1999.
Entry
to fourth-year honours depends upon completion of a major sequence in English
with at least 65% results in subjects to the value of twenty-four points at
second and third-year level combined, of which sixteen points must be at
third-year level. It is also necessary for students to have fulfilled the
requirements of a major sequence.
Intending honours students should choose subjects providing them with:
In particular, intending honours students should
consider including either, or both, of ENH2060/ENH3060 (Introduction to critical
theory) and ENH2750/ENH3750 Contemporary women's fiction and theory.
To complete a major in English students must include among the five subjects
which they take in second and third years at least one earlier and one
later-period subject (designated a and b in the lists of second
and third-year subjects).
Students intending to include Middle English courses in their honours year,
should note that ENH3390 (Middle English literature) is a prerequisite for
ENH4800 (Middle English literature).
In
fourth year (honours), students take ENH4600 (Minor thesis) and (in first
semester) either ENH4620 (Literary theory) twelve points or
ENH4640 (The life of the text: genesis, production, reception) twelve points.
They also take two elective subjects: the selection of subjects must be
approved by the fourth-year coordinator.
Students will be required to attend a short methodology course.
In special circumstances the department may grant an extension of time for
submission of the honours thesis or for final coursework up to the last day of
the examination period in which the work is due. Applications for extensions
beyond this date must be made to the Committee for Undergraduate Studies.
The following elective subjects will be offered if there are sufficient enrolments in them, and if staff are available to teach them.
From 1999 on, there will be no further enrolments in first-year English studies at Peninsula campus. Four subjects are offered to enable second and third-year students to continue with their courses. These may, of course, be supplemented by subjects offered at Clayton campus.
The structure of the major sequence in English is as follows:
Two second-year subjects and three-third year subjects selected from those listed below, or from subjects offered on the Clayton and Caulfield campus.
The minor sequence in English consists of the first year (as above) followed by two second-year subjects.
The
English-in-use (EIU) course is designed for students whose first language is
other than English. As the course is a study of the functional, theoretical and
cultural features of the English language and not a literature-based course, it
is a separate subject to English and may not be taken as part of a sequence in
English. This allows second language students the option of taking EIU as a
separate major or minor sequence and considering English as a possible second
major or minor subject within their degree.
The course provides second language students with an opportunity to further
their knowledge of the English language through the perspective of the second
language speaker. It provides a broad conceptual understanding of the English
language, the cognitive and cultural attitudes it engenders and the
communicative frameworks it supports.
The course encourages second language students to develop an understanding of
their language of instruction by extending their knowledge of the historical,
cultural, theoretical and functional features of English that are of specific
relevance to them as second language speakers. It includes some of the
theoretical issues of English form, function, structure, genre and culture and
gives students the opportunity, within a second language perspective, to
analyse and evaluate the strengths and the limitations of English as an unique
system of communication which functions in a distinct cultural framework to
construct meaning.
This course is available to international and non-English-speaking-background
students who fulfil the Arts faculty second language entry criteria.
The English-in-use course offers one subject per semester at each year level, except in third year, second semester, when two subjects are required to complete a major sequence. Students interested in taking either a minor or major sequence must complete each subject at the appropriate level. Completion of a first-year sequence plus sixteen points at the second-year level represents a minor sequence in English-in-use. Completion of a further twenty-four points in English-in-use at the third-year level represents a major sequence in English-in-use.
The
Department of Visual Culture teaches courses in two major areas: the history
and theory of art and architecture, and film and television studies. Minor
sequences, major sequences and honours studies may be undertaken in either of
these broad areas, or a combination of the two. The first-year subject VSA1000
(Introduction to visual culture: back to the future), is designed to provide a
foundation for all subsequent studies in the department. Students may choose to
complete a first-year sequence by taking VSA1010 (Contemporary visual culture)
or VSA1050 (Contemporary popular film), or both, in second semester.
In subsequent years, students may decide to specialise in one or more aspects
of visual culture, or to develop a broadly based study of the field. Art
history and theory subjects involve historical and critical interpretation of a
wide range of major phases of Australian, European and American art,
photography and architecture, with special attention to recent and contemporary
visual culture. Film and television studies cover Australian, Asian and
European national cinemas, contemporary popular Hollywood and its institutions,
alternative film and video, documentary and television studies.
Qualified students may enter a fourth, honours year, and undertake postgraduate
studies at graduate diploma, MA and PhD level. There is also a specialist MA in
Australian art. For details of postgraduate subjects, please refer to the Arts
graduate handbook for 1999.
Throughout the course of studies, emphasis will be given to a variety of
critical and theoretical methods of analysis appropriate to the study of visual
culture, including formal, semiotic and psychoanalytic approaches,
consideration of issues to do with the intersection of ideology and culture,
the representation of gender, race and class, and questions concerning the
relations between visual culture and technology.
Students are encouraged to consider combining their visual culture studies with
other relevant and compatible disciplines and subject areas taught in the
Faculty of Arts. Examples are performing arts, comparative literature and
cultural studies, history, women's studies, and a range of relevant Asian and
European languages. Particular attention is drawn to the following subjects:
A first-year sequence in visual culture consists of twelve points (two visual culture subjects) at first-year level.
A minor sequence in visual culture consists of twelve points (two subjects) at first-year level followed by sixteen points (two subjects) at second-year level.
The major sequence consists of twelve points at first-year level followed by second-year subjects to the value of sixteen points, and third-year subjects to the value of twenty-four points.
Normally, entry into second and third-year level visual culture subjects is dependent on completion of appropriate first and/or second-year level subjects. However, in special circumstances, it may be possible for students who have completed appropriate equivalent studies to enter these subjects, with the approval of the head of department.
Students may also take CLS2130 (Culture and society: introduction to cultural theory) or WMN2240 (Introduction to contemporary feminist theory) as part of a minor or major sequence in visual culture. However, where one of these subjects is included as part of a sequence in visual culture, it cannot also comprise part of a sequence in comparative literature and cultural studies or women's studies. Students may not take CLS3130 or WMN3240 as part of a visual culture major.
Honours
coordinator: Deane Williams
Normally, the minimum requirement for admission to fourth-year will be
completion of a major sequence in visual culture, with credit grades or higher
in subjects to the value of twenty-four points at second and third-year levels
combined, of which sixteen must be at third-year level. Mid-year entry is
offered by this department.
Combined honours may be taken in visual culture and another discipline,
provided that all honours requirements have been met in both disciplines, and
subject to the approval of both departments/centres.
Departments may grant an extension of time for submission of the honours thesis
or for final coursework up to the last day of the examination period of the
semester in which the work is due. Applications for extensions beyond this date
must be made to the Committee for Undergraduate Studies.
Fourth-year
honours students will be required to write a minor thesis (VSA4000) worth
eighteen points, and to take three seminar subjects. Full-time honours students
entering at the beginning of the year are advised to undertake two seminar
subjects in the first semester and one in the second semester.
Part-time honours students normally take two seminar subjects in the first
year, and the third subject plus the thesis in the second year.
Graduate supervision in the MA and PhD is available in most fields of visual culture (art history and criticism, and film and television studies). A postgraduate diploma and a faculty certificate in visual culture are also available, allowing specialisation in art history or film studies, or a combination of both fields. Specialist MA courses in both Australian art, and gallery and museum studies, are also available. For full details of all postgraduate courses offered by the Department of Visual Culture, please refer to the Arts graduate handbook for 1999.
wwwdev@monash.edu.au
Wed Jul 28 10:53:42 EST 1999