Pre-requisites

None.

Co-requisites

None.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, the student will be able to:

• Maturely research, select and validate books for readership by identifying key ideas and devices

• Write critically about a text and employ Literary Theory in writing practice

• Apply a Christian worldview perspective in the examination of literature

• Create pathways for comparative analysis by identifying paradigmatic likenesses between texts

• Identify protagonist similarities across variegated contexts and sub-genres

Unit Description

This unit invites students to critically evaluate the robust genre of Young Adult literature. With a first Assessment Task of discerning, selecting and justifying textual choices for their own study booklist, students are led to approach the vast options in this genre with scholarly integrity and confidence. Binary tensions are addressed with a focus on the views and values of protagonists and their internal and external responses to contextual agitators for quest and growth. Sub-genres of Science Fiction, Fantasy, Romance, and Historic Epics are included in written and discussed theoretical material. Contemporary trends in the genre, such as serial publications and fan-fiction culture are assessed alongside contemporary Literary Theory.

Topics

• Literary history from youths of the Holy Bible, to Shakespeare, and onwards
• Exploring options, identifying paradigms, selecting texts and validating them for study
• Texts and their contexts: applying Literary Theory to discovered tension
• Universal trends to youth characterisations
• Imagined settings and the impetus for plot and character development
• Strength, weakness, heroism and the empathy of readers

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Unit offerings

Face to face: Semester 1, 2025 (Every 2nd Year (Even), Semester 1)

Please note

The Unit Offerings listed above are a guide only and the timetable for any year is the final authority. The College may vary offerings based on demand, regulatory requirements, continual improvement processes or other conditions.

This unit may be available in different modes of delivery i.e. online and face-to-face as listed above. The unit content will not differ between these modes of delivery. There will possibly be a difference in the schedule and/or the prescribed assessment tasks, however both will cover and assess the same content.