ENGL210-25S1 (C) Semester One 2025

Inventing New Zealand in Literature

15 points

Details:
Start Date: Monday, 17 February 2025
End Date: Sunday, 22 June 2025
Withdrawal Dates
Last Day to withdraw from this course:
  • Without financial penalty (full fee refund): Sunday, 2 March 2025
  • Without academic penalty (including no fee refund): Sunday, 11 May 2025

Description

ENGL 210 is an introduction to New Zealand literature. The course has a twentieth-century focus, and, in its survey of the century, examines texts that engage the issues of translation (a politics of metaphor) by which different ideas of ‘New Zealandness’ have been established and critiqued. What is it we mean when we speak of New Zealand literature? What are the assumptions, readings and interpretations employed in the formation of something like New Zealand identity, and what are their contexts?

ENGL210 is an introduction to New Zealand literature. The course has a twentieth-century focus, and, in its survey of the century, highlights the writing of such figures as Katherine Mansfield, Allen Curnow, and Frank Sargeson; the early and late poetry of James K Baxter, and the short fiction of Janet Frame; the course concludes with texts by Witi Ihimaera, Patricia Grace, Keri Hulme, and Robert Sullivan. Course texts have been selected for the way in which they engage the issues of translation by which different ideas of ‘New Zealandness’ have been established and critiqued. What is it we mean when we speak of New Zealand literature? What are the assumptions, readings and interpretations employed in the formation of something like New Zealand identity, and what are their contexts? These are some of the questions we will have occasion to consider during the course.

This course can be used towards an English major or minor. BA students who major in English would normally take at least two 100-level 15 point ENGL courses (which must include at least one of the following: ENGL117, ENGL102 or ENGL103), at least three 200-level 15 point ENGL courses, and at least two 300-level 30 point ENGL courses. Please see the BA regulations  or a student advisor for more information.

Learning Outcomes

  • In this course you will learn:
  • Development of close reading skills
  • Development of written and verbal communication skills
  • Development of skills related to collaboration and problem solving
  • Increased knowledge specific to the study of New Zealand literature
  • Exposure to cultural and critical contexts in the study of literature
    • University Graduate Attributes

      This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attributes specified below:

      Critically competent in a core academic discipline of their award

      Students know and can critically evaluate and, where applicable, apply this knowledge to topics/issues within their majoring subject.

      Employable, innovative and enterprising

      Students will develop key skills and attributes sought by employers that can be used in a range of applications.

      Biculturally competent and confident

      Students will be aware of and understand the nature of biculturalism in Aotearoa New Zealand, and its relevance to their area of study and/or their degree.

Prerequisites

Any 15 points at 100 level from ENGL, or
any 60 points at 100 level from the Schedule V of the BA.

Timetable 2025

Students must attend one activity from each section.

Lecture A
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Monday 11:00 - 12:00 Psychology - Sociology 252 Lecture Theatre
17 Feb - 6 Apr
28 Apr - 1 Jun
Lecture B
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Tuesday 14:00 - 15:00 Psychology - Sociology 252 Lecture Theatre
17 Feb - 6 Apr
28 Apr - 1 Jun
Lecture C
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Wednesday 15:00 - 16:00 Psychology - Sociology 252 Lecture Theatre
17 Feb - 6 Apr
28 Apr - 1 Jun

Course Coordinator / Lecturer

Nicholas Wright

Assessment

Assessment Due Date Percentage  Description
Attendance and Participation 10%
Term One Close Reading 10% 700 words
First Essay 30% 2000 words
Term Two Close Reading 10% 700 words
Take-Home Test Essay 40% 3000 words

Textbooks / Resources

There are no textbooks for this course; all the materials will be in the course reader or otherwise available via Learn.

Course links

Library portal

Indicative Fees

Domestic fee $894.00

International fee $4,100.00

* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.

For further information see Humanities .

All ENGL210 Occurrences

  • ENGL210-25S1 (C) Semester One 2025