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ENGL1012 My Generation: Narratives of Youth in Fiction, Film and New Media

First Year Course

Offered By School of Cultural Inquiry
Academic Career Undergraduate
Course Subject English
Offered in First Semester, 2011
Unit Value 6 units
Course Description

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.

Indicative Assessment 500 word research exercise (10%); 1,000 word essay (20%); 1,500 word essay (35%) and two-hour examination (35%).
Workload Two 1-hour lectures per week and one 1-hour tutorial per week, plus film screenings.
Areas of Interest English
Prescribed Texts

Texts and films may include:

Lewis Carroll, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass
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

Majors/Specialisations English and Digital Humanities
Programs Bachelor of Arts (Digital Arts), Bachelor of Arts (New Media Arts), and Bachelor of Arts (New Media Arts)
Academic Contact Dr Kate Mitchell

The information published on the Study at ANU 2011 website applies to the 2011 academic year only. All information provided on this website replaces the information contained in the Study at ANU 2010 website.

Updated:   13 Nov 2015 / Responsible Officer:   The Registrar / Page Contact:   Student Business Solutions