This course provides a grounding in key historical and contemporary debates about the nature, purpose, methods and goals of literary study. Topics to be addressed may include: the challenges involved in situating texts in their historical contexts; the question of how texts generate a plurality of meanings beyond the limits of ‘authorial intention’; critical methods for analysing how texts encode or subvert ideas about class, race, gender and sexuality; the nature of textual representation and the relation between language and reality; the nature of literary genre and the role of reader expectation; the insights of book history into changing understandings of authorship, publication, reading and criticism; the impact of digital technologies on modes of literary circulation; and the use of new digital methods to examine literary production in ways that reshape traditional categories of text and author, and raise fundamental questions about originality and the archive. 

In 2025 this course will be run with two halves. The first half delves deep into the innermost mind and feelings of the literary critic. It explores the idea that critics and literary theorists must divine texts, and ultimately, reveal something to us about them. The second half goes outward into the world, outside the bounds of Western universalism and Western hegemony, to look at theory and criticism on a global scale; postcolonial, Soviet and Chinese literary criticism and theory. By focussing on two extremities, the innermost and outermost worlds, this course aims to change the way we think about theory, and move our methods forwards into a new era.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. demonstrate an understanding of the core nature of being a literary critic, what critics and theorists must do, and why societies have historically needed them;
2. apply techniques and methods of the critical discipline, from judgement to editing to providing commentary and close reading; and
3. analyse literary-critical traditions outside the West, showing an awareness of the international development of theory and criticism.

Research-Led Teaching

This course will give you a comprehensive picture of criticism and theory as it exists to the present day. It will introduce you to cutting-edge theoretical methods, alongside an understanding of how they came out of their specific historical moment, and how they relate, and can exist in tension with the history of literary studies as a discipline. We will explore what theory is and how to use it. As well as introducing psychoanalysis, deconstructionism, postcolonialism, hermeneutics, post-critique, feminist, historicist and Marxist literary theory, we will examine the ancient, global and ongoing history of interpretation. The course's lecturer, Dr A.J. Carruthers, has published extensively in the history of criticism, literary theory, and theories of literary history, most recently in symploke, Journal of Intercultural Studies and his latest monograph, Literary History and Avant-Garde Poetics in the Antipodes: Languages of Invention.

Required Resources

All readings will be available electronically.

Recommended Resources

Whether you are on campus or studying online, there are a variety of online platforms you will use to participate in your study program. These could include videos for lectures and other instruction, two-way video conferencing for interactive learning, email and other messaging tools for communication, interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities, print and/or photo/scan for handwritten work and drawings, and home-based assessment.

ANU outlines recommended student system requirements to ensure you are able to participate fully in your learning. Other information is also available about the various Learning Platforms you may use.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• written comments
• verbal comments
• feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group etc

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Introduction: ‘Aha! that’s what it means!’
2	Corruptions, Emendations, Blanks, and Enigmas
3	Romantic Hermeneutics: an Introduction
4	Deeper Reading: Critics as Revelators?	Assignment 1: Critical Exercise due
5	Anticriticism and Postcritique: Resistances to Criticism
6	Postcolonialism and the Post-Cold War Period
7	Postmodernism and the Post-Cold War Period
8	Feminism and Psychoanalysis
9	History and Historicism: Classes, Nations, Civilisations	Assignment 2: Essay Draft due Week 9
10	Formalism and Realism: Soviet Innovations
11	Revolutionary Traditions: China and the World
12	Conclusion and Reflections: Theory Against Criticism?	Assignment 3: Final Essay due exam week

Tutorial Registration

ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Learning Outcomes
Critical Exercise (25%)	25 %	1,2
Essay draft (25%)	25 %	1,2,3
Final essay (40%)	40 %	1,2,3
Participation (10%)	10 %	1,2,3

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines , which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Extenuating Circumstances Application
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Skills website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Assessment Task 1

Critical Exercise (25%)

1500 words, due Week 4. You will complete a short critical exercise. In this task, you will put in practice the methodologies studied in the first weeks of the course. Through this task, you will consider issues of textual corruptions, divination, and critical judgement.

Further details and the rubric will be available on Wattle.

Assessment Task 2

Essay draft (25%)

1500 words, due Week 9. This task will give you the opportunity to get feedback on an early version your final essay. Further details and the rubric will be available on Wattle.

Assessment Task 3

Final essay (40%)

3000 words, due the first week of the exam period. In this final task you will draw on your knowledge from across the course, and answer a set essay question or respond to a question of your own, developed in consultation with your tutor. Further details and the rubric will be available on Wattle.

Assessment Task 4

Participation (10%)

Participation will be assessed throughout the semester, and includes not only attendance at tutorials and lectures but preparation, quality engagement and demonstrated active engagement with all forms of the course. 

To score a strong participation mark observe the four Cs:

• Come to class: lectures (recorded but in-person attendance expected), tutorials (compulsory)
• Contribute comments and questions that reflect reading, attentiveness to lectures, and preparation
• Co-operate by being receptive and responsive to others' ideas
• Consistent engagement across the semester

The rubric will be available on Wattle.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

• Late submission not permitted. If submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date is not permitted, a mark of 0 will be awarded.
• Late submission permitted. Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material. Any use of artificial intelligence must be properly referenced. Failure to properly cite use of Generative AI will be considered a breach of academic integrity.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Accessibility for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents all ANU students