School: Arts and Humanities

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Social Justice and Children's Literature
  • Unit Code

    ENG3190
  • Year

    2021
  • Enrolment Period

    1
  • Version

    1
  • Credit Points

    15
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
    Online
  • Unit Coordinator

    A/Prof Debra Lynn DUDEK

Description

Literature for children is widely considered to serve a socialising function and therefore is understood as one of the means by which children learn how to be responsible and ethical individuals. While texts for young people often support dominant systems of beliefs, there is a body of texts that overtly challenge such dominant narratives. In this unit, we analyse a number of contemporary texts for young people that arguably position implied child readers to challenge the status quo and to act in socially-responsible ways. We situate these texts in the context of larger cultural and political practices and discourses.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Summarise theoretical debates and methodologies relating to social justice within the field of Children’s Literature internationally.
  2. Analyse how formal techniques enhance a text’s meaning.
  3. Explain texts for young people in their ideological contexts.
  4. Distinguish between aspects of texts for young people that support dominant systems of belief and those aspects that challenge those beliefs.

Unit Content

  1. Texts for young people that represent social justice issues.
  2. Texts for young people across a range of mediums.
  3. Theoretical frameworks that deepen an understanding of the texts.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant School Progression Panel.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
EssayClose-reading essay 35%
ProjectThe Conversation-style pitch and essay55%
ParticipationOnline and in class10%
ONLINE
TypeDescriptionValue
EssayClose-reading essay 35%
ProjectThe Conversation-style pitch and essay55%
ParticipationDiscussion Board posts10%

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

ENG3190|1|1

School: Arts and Humanities

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Social Justice and Children's Literature
  • Unit Code

    ENG3190
  • Year

    2021
  • Enrolment Period

    2
  • Version

    1
  • Credit Points

    15
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
    Online
  • Unit Coordinator

    A/Prof Debra Lynn DUDEK

Description

Literature for children is widely considered to serve a socialising function and therefore is understood as one of the means by which children learn how to be responsible and ethical individuals. While texts for young people often support dominant systems of beliefs, there is a body of texts that overtly challenge such dominant narratives. In this unit, we analyse a number of contemporary texts for young people that arguably position implied child readers to challenge the status quo and to act in socially-responsible ways. We situate these texts in the context of larger cultural and political practices and discourses.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Summarise theoretical debates and methodologies relating to social justice within the field of Children’s Literature internationally.
  2. Analyse how formal techniques enhance a text’s meaning.
  3. Explain texts for young people in their ideological contexts.
  4. Distinguish between aspects of texts for young people that support dominant systems of belief and those aspects that challenge those beliefs.

Unit Content

  1. Texts for young people that represent social justice issues.
  2. Texts for young people across a range of mediums.
  3. Theoretical frameworks that deepen an understanding of the texts.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant School Progression Panel.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
EssayClose-reading essay 35%
ProjectThe Conversation-style pitch and essay55%
ParticipationOnline and in class10%
ONLINE
TypeDescriptionValue
EssayClose-reading essay 35%
ProjectThe Conversation-style pitch and essay55%
ParticipationDiscussion Board posts10%

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

ENG3190|1|2