This course examines a series of classic and contemporary narratives of youth and the transition to adulthood, in a range of media from novels and films to comic books and TV series. It explores the origins of the idea of adolescence as a distinct life stage, and explores how the experience of youth and the cultural meanings attached to it have changed across the generations from the Baby Boomers to Generation Y. As well as skills in the analysis of both literary and film narratives, students will develop a basic understanding of contemporary theories of identity formation in relation to issues of race, class, gender and sexuality.

At the completion of the course the students will:

• Be able to analyse, discuss and write critically about the idea of adolescence as a distinct life stage, its origins and cultural meanings.
• Be able to analyse, discuss and write critically about contemporary theories of identify formation in relation to issues such as class, gender, race and sexuality
• Have developed skills in reading and analysing carefully with attention to detail and to the way in which texts (both novels and films) are constructed
• Recognize, interpret and evaluate the ways in which literary texts both emerge from and contribute to their literary, historical and cultural backgrounds

500 word research exercise (10%); 1,000 word essay (20%); 1,500 word essay (35%); and two-hour examination (35%)

Two 1-hour lectures per week and 4 hours of tutorial per week, plus film screenings.

This is a required second semester course for the Associate Degree in Social Science stream.

Associate Degree Students only

Texts and films may include:

Dickens, Charles, Great Expectations
Mike Nichols, dir., The Graduate (film)
Sylvia Plath, The Bell Jar
Stanley Kubrick dir., A Clockwork Orange (film)
Daniel Clowes, Ghost World (graphic novel)
David Fincher, dir., Fight Club (film)
Tara June Winch, Swallow the Air

Internet access