European Literature and Languages: Historical Perspectives
UndergraduateUNE-LANG3032027
Course information for 2027 intake View information for 2026 course intake
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Enrol by
- 21 Feb 2027
- Entry requirements
- Part of a degree
- Duration
- 16 weeks
- Price from
- $2,361
- Upfront cost
- $0
- Loan available
- FEE-HELP available
European Literature and Languages: Historical Perspectives
About this subject
Upon completion of this subject, students will be able to:
- apply and demonstrate advanced level language skills to interpret texts in the target language across a range of genres and contexts;
- demonstrate and apply extended knowledge of the stylistic features of the target language and how they vary across genres and historical sociocultural contexts;
- apply extended knowledge of the historically embedded social and cultural issues relevant to the target language; and
- demonstrate advanced communication skills in presenting arguments in a manner appropriate to the content, including in the target language where appropriate.
- Topics will be available to enrolled students in the subjects Learning Management System site approximately one week prior to the commencement of the teaching period.
This subject enables you to extend your proficiency in a European language (French, Italian, or Spanish) by examining literature and the arts from a comparative, global and critically diverse perspective.
Through research-led teaching, the close reading of texts will enable you to advance your second language skills, by deepening your knowledge of the historical development of the language and its stylistic features.
The critical analysis of important texts across history enables you to develop in-depth knowledge of the key writers and themes, along with the literary, philosophical, and political movements associated with world literatures.
You will also gain greater understanding of how literary culture shaped and was shaped by colonial movements, its impact on the colonised, and postcolonial subjectivities.
To ensure the topic you enrol in is appropriate for your Program of Study, you must apply for permission to enrol at least three weeks prior to the commencement of the relevant trimester.
2027 topics
- Trimester 1
- French:
Women in French Texts
The role of women in France has changed over time and French literature, like all literature, reflects their society’s values and beliefs. When studying this topic/subject you will focus on representations of women in French literature from the Middle Ages to the 20th century, situating texts within their historical, cultural, political and social context. You will use your advanced French language skills to conduct a close textual analysis of the prescribed works and extend your reading and writing skills to a high level. In this topic/subject you will be introduced to important French literary movements and discuss their critical reception by the scholarly community. Because the topic/subject spans a broad time period, it provides you with a global view of women in literature whilst also allowing close analysis of relationships and connections between the specific texts and authors studied. This topic/subject will enhance your understanding of French culture.
- Trimester 2
- Italian:
Italian Renaissance Literature
This topic/subject introduces you to the dynamic literary activity of the Italian Renaissance and gives a perspective of the literary trends of this period. You will critically analyse a range of advanced texts in the context of the socio-political and philosophical situation of Renaissance Italy in the 15th and 16th century. You will explore a variety of literary genres, including epic, drama and political and moral treatises, which influenced all later European cultures. Extend your advanced level language skills and your understanding of the foundations of Italian culture when you learn more about Italian literature and those who produced it.
Travellers' Tales: The Invention of Latin America
In many ways, literature defines society by reflecting the attitudes and values of the writer and the depiction of society at large. This topic/subject gives you an exploration of how the Latin American people, landscape and culture have been defined through the writings of European, North American and Australasian travellers. Studying this history will enable you to appreciate how the concept of Latin America has evolved since Columbus's writing, and to develop a deeper perception of Latin American culture. The focus of the topic/subject is of particular interest to Australasian students because of the intercultural links between Oceania and Latin America.
- Trimester 1
Assessment 1: French Discipline - Essay in French and textual analysis in French or English. 2500 words (equivalent). Relates to Learning Outcomes 1-4;
Assessment 2: French Discipline - Open-book Take Home Exam written in French or English. 2000 words (equivalent) 2hrs 15mins. Relates to Learning Outcomes 1-4;
Assessment 1: Italian Discipline - Essay and textual analysis. 2500 words (equivalent). Relates to Learning Outcomes 1-4;
Assessment 2: Italian Discipline - Structured online participation. 600 words (equivalent). Relates to Learning Outcomes 1-4;
Assessment 3: Italian Discipline - Take Home Exam. 2000 words (equivalent) 2hrs 15mins. It is mandatory to pass the Take Home Exam in order to pass the unit. Relates to Learning Outcomes 1-4;
Assessment 1: Spanish Discipline - Essay in Spanish. 2000 words (equivalent). Relates to Learning Outcomes 1-4;
Assessment 2: Spanish Discipline - Essay in Spanish. 2000 words (equivalent). Relates to Learning Outcomes 1-4;
Assessment 3: Spanish Discipline - Oral Examination. 1000 words (equivalent). Relates to Learning Outcomes 1-4;
Assessment 4: Spanish Discipline - Online assessment - Eight recorded and seven written messages in Spanish. 750 words (equivalent). Relates to Learning Outcomes 1-4.- Assessment 1: French Discipline - Essay in French and textual analysis in French or English (50%)
- Assessment 1: Spanish Discipline: Essay in Spanish. (35%)
- Assessment 2: Spanish Discipline: Essay in Spanish (35%)
- Assessment 3: Spanish Discipline: Oral examination (15%)
- Assessment 4: Spanish Discipline: Online assessment, eight recorded and seven written messages in Spanish. (15%)
- Assessment 2: French Discipline - Open-book Take Home Exam written in French or English (50%)
- Assessment 2: Italian Discipline - Structured online participation (10%)
- Assessment 1: Italian Discipline - Essay and textual analysis. (50%)
- Assessment 3: Italian Discipline - Take Home Exam (40%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
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Entry requirements
Part of a degree
To enrol in this subject you must be accepted into one of the following degrees:
Elective
- UNE-MDL-DIP-2027 - Diploma in Languages
Others
Candidature in the Diploma in Modern Languages.
This is a repeatable subject. However, topics are not repeatable and the subject cannot be undertaken more than once in any one teaching period.
To enrol in this subject, students must have completed: FREN202 or ITAL202 or SPAN202 or equivalent. Enrolment is also subject to permission of the coordinator (or delegate). Students must apply for permission to enrol at least three weeks prior to the commencement of the relevant Trimester.
Additional requirements
- Equipment requirements - Headphones or speakers (required to listen to lectures and other media). Headset, including microphone (highly recommended). Webcam (may be required for participation in virtual classrooms and/or media presentations).
- Software requirements - It is essential for students to have reliable internet access in order to participate in and complete your units, regardless of whether they contain an on campus attendance or intensive school component. For additional information please visit UNE Hardware Requirements: https://www.une.edu.au/current-students/support/it-services/hardware
- Other requirements -
Textbook requirements:
Textbook information is not available until approximately 8 weeks prior to the commencement of the Teaching period.
Students are expected to purchase prescribed material.
Textbook requirements may vary from one teaching period to the next.
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.
Related degrees
Once you’ve completed this subject it can be credited towards one of the following courses
UndergraduateUNE-MDL-DIP