Course Outline

EGL201 Reality Bites: An Exploration of Non-Fiction

Course Coordinator:Lee McGowan (lmcgowa1@usc.edu.au) School:School of Business and Creative Industries

2024Semester 1

UniSC Sunshine Coast

UniSC Moreton Bay

Blended learning Most of your course is on campus but you may be able to do some components of this course online.

Online

Online You can do this course without coming onto campus.

Please go to usc.edu.au for up to date information on the
teaching sessions and campuses where this course is usually offered.

What is this course about?

Description

This course introduces different genres within creative non-fiction writing, including: the tradition of the great essayists; travel writing; 'science' writing; sports writing; and memoir, biography and autobiography. Concepts such as verisimilitude, believability, and persuasion are explored, as are the lines between the real and the constructed. The course examines the key roles of objective research and subjective identity in the construction of writing.

How will this course be delivered?

Activity Hours Beginning Week Frequency
Blended learning
Learning materials – Interactive online learning activities. 1hr Week 1 12 times
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – Scheduled face to face workshops. 2hrs Week 1 12 times
Online
Learning materials – Interactive online learning activities. 1hr Week 1 12 times
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – Scheduled online workshops. 2hrs Week 1 12 times

Course Topics

This course explores various non-fiction genres:

personal essays,

science writing,

travel writing,

nature writing,

sports writing,

biography and memoir.

What level is this course?

200 Level (Developing)

Building on and expanding the scope of introductory knowledge and skills, developing breadth or depth and applying knowledge and skills in a new context. May require pre-requisites where discipline specific introductory knowledge or skills is necessary. Normally, undertaken in the second or third full-time year of an undergraduate programs.

What is the unit value of this course?

12 units

How does this course contribute to my learning?

Course Learning Outcomes On successful completion of this course, you should be able to... Graduate Qualities Mapping Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming... Professional Standard Mapping * Education for Sustainable Development Goals
1 Explain, describe, question and analyse the conventions within a range of non-fiction genres as they relate to a range of issues such as class, ethnicity, gender, race, inequity and sustainable approaches to the environment. Creative and critical thinker
Sustainability-focussed
1.1.1, 4.2.4, 10.1.5, 10.2.4, 14.1.3
2 Organise textual analysis and consider textual elements in clear, concise, and accurate oral and written forms. Ethical
Engaged

                                    
3 Collaborate with the work of others and work well in teams to support the collective learning of the group. Empowered
Engaged
5.2.1
4 Conduct literary research to locate and apply relevant literary criticism and theory. Knowledgeable
Sustainability-focussed

                                    
5 Construct sophisticated and persuasive arguments that consider the ways creative non-fiction narratives speak to contemporary issues, including those situated in and intersecting with class, ethnicity, ethics, the environment and other aspects of storytelling related to our world. Creative and critical thinker
Ethical
1.2.3, 4.2.4, 4.3.2, 10.1.5, 17.1.4

* Competencies by Professional Body

CODE COMPETENCY
Education for Sustainable Development Goals
1.1.1 The learner understands the concepts of extreme and relative poverty and is able to critically reflect on their underlying cultural and normative assumptions and practices.
1.2.3 The learner is able to show sensitivity to the issues of poverty as well as empathy and solidarity with poor people and those in vulnerable situations.
4.2.4 The learner is able to recognize the importance of their own skills for improving their life, in particular for employment and entrepreneurship.
4.3.2 The learner is able to promote gender equality in education.
5.2.1 The learner is able to recognize and question traditional perception of gender roles in a critical approach, while respecting cultural sensitivity
10.1.5 The learner understands ethical principles concerning equality and is aware of psychological processes that foster discriminative behaviour and decision making.
10.2.4 The learner becomes aware of inequalities in their surroundings as well as in the wider world and is able to recognize the problematic consequences.
14.1.3 The learner knows the basic premise of climate change and the role of the oceans in moderating our climate.
17.1.4 The learner recognizes the importance of cooperation on and access to science, technology and innovation, and knowledge sharing.

Am I eligible to enrol in this course?

Refer to the UniSC Glossary of terms for definitions of “pre-requisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites”.

Pre-requisites

Not applicable

Co-requisites

Not applicable

Anti-requisites

Not applicable

Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (where applicable)

We encourage English students to complete EGL120 before doing level 2 or 3 EGL courses, but it is not required.

How am I going to be assessed?

Grading Scale

Standard Grading (GRD)

High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL).

Details of early feedback on progress

In addition to the feedback provided in tutorial activities, a draft of first paragraph assessment will be reviewed by your tutor before submission. The short response and multiple-choice responses assessment will be assessed in a timely manner to ensure you receive early feedback and opportunity to gauge your learning development

Assessment tasks

Delivery mode Task No. Assessment Product Individual or Group Weighting % What is the duration / length? When should I submit? Where should I submit it?
All 1 Quiz/zes Individual 25%
Approx. 2500 words (equivalence over the semester)
Week 11 Online Submission
All 2 Oral Group 35%
5 minutes per participant plus 5 minutes for questions
Week 12 In Class
All 3 Essay Individual 40%
1500 words (including quotations and references)
Week 13 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All - Assessment Task 1:Close reading and English expression quizzes and short answer questions
Goal:
This assessment is designed for you to explore and test your understanding of the texts, close reading analytical approaches and academic writing conventions.
Product: Quiz/zes
Format:
You will submit responses to a series of multiple choice questions and three short answer prompts in response to questions concerning the prescribed texts and what constitutes formal English Literary analysis (essay structure, expression, discourse, punctuation). The quizzes and paragraphs will be accessed and submitted via Canvas.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Organise textual analysis in clear, concise, and accurate written forms.
2 5
2
Construct sophisticated and persuasive arguments.
1 4 5
3
Integrate feedback into your writing and learning process.
1 3
All - Assessment Task 2:Group Oral and Tutorial Engagement
Goal:
This task is designed to test textual analysis skills in performative forms through collaborative team work and learning. It will also give you opportunity to trial ideas to advance learning in collaborative settings.
Product: Oral
Format:
Weeks 5-13 Group. Academic format. Engaging oral presentation that simulates industry/professional scenarios.

(5 minute per person in the group presentation) can be delivered live in class or submitted as pre-recorded video See Canvas for specific questions and text topic options.

In groups of two or three, you will present a creative and engaging group oral presentation. This may be presented live or via pre-recorded video.

Groups will be formed in your first tutorial. Your oral presentation will introduce the class to one of the text studied and its relationship to its genre.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Explain, describe, question and analyse the conventions within a non-fiction genre.
1 2
2
Collaborate with the work of others and work well in teams to support the collective learning of the group.
3
3
Conduct literary research. Locating and applying relevant literary criticism and theory.
4
4
Organise textual analysis in clear, concise, and accurate oral forms.
4 5
All - Assessment Task 3:Major Essay or Creative Piece
Goal:
This assessment is in either formal essay or creative form.

This task is designed to help you synthesise and demonstrate your understanding of a non-fiction genre and present critical reading and research skills.

You will write:
a) A formal research essay using textual analysis. For options on questions please see Canvas; or

b) A short creative exemplar of one the genres studied. 

If you choose option b) you must include a short 500 word exegetical research statement. For more information on this option see Canvas.
Product: Essay
Format:
Submit: Week 13 Academic format Standard essay format 2000 words You cannot focus on the same text that was explored in task 1 or 2.  For information on research questions that might be attempted see Canvas.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Explain, describe, question and analyse the conventions within a non-fiction genre.
1
2
Conduct literary research. Locating and applying relevant literary criticism and theory.
4
3
Construct sophisticated and persuasive arguments.
5
4
Organise textual analysis and/or and consider textual elements in clear, concise, and accurate written forms.
2

Directed study hours

A 12-unit course will have total of 150 learning hours which will include directed study hours (including online if required), self-directed learning and completion of assessable tasks. Student workload is calculated at 12.5 learning hours per one unit.

What resources do I need to undertake this course?

Please note: Course information, including specific information of recommended readings, learning activities, resources, weekly readings, etc. are available on the course Canvas site– Please log in as soon as possible.

Prescribed text(s) or course reader

There are no required/recommended resources for this course.

Specific requirements

Nil

How are risks managed in this course?

Health and safety risks for this course have been assessed as low. It is your responsibility to review course material, search online, discuss with lecturers and peers and understand the health and safety risks associated with your specific course of study and to familiarise yourself with the University’s general health and safety principles by reviewing the online induction training for students, and following the instructions of the University staff.

What administrative information is relevant to this course?

Assessment: Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is the ethical standard of university participation.  It ensures that students graduate as a result of proving they are competent in their discipline.  This is integral in maintaining the value of academic qualifications. Each industry has expectations and standards of the skills and knowledge within that discipline and these are reflected in assessment.

Academic integrity means that you do not engage in any activity that is considered to be academic fraud; including plagiarism, collusion or outsourcing any part of any assessment item to any other person.  You are expected to be honest and ethical by completing all work yourself and indicating in your work which ideas and information were developed by you and which were taken from others. You cannot provide your assessment work to others. You are also expected to provide evidence of wide and critical reading, usually by using appropriate academic references.

In order to minimise incidents of academic fraud, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks, when submitted to Canvas, are electronically checked through Turnitin.  This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work to which Turnitin has access.

Assessment: Additional Requirements

Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying:

The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4%
The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale
You have not failed an assessment task in the course due to academic misconduct.

Assessment: Submission penalties

Late submission of assessment tasks may be penalised at the following maximum rate: 
- 5% (of the assessment task's identified value) per day for the first two days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. 
- 10% (of the assessment task's identified value) for the third day - 20% (of the assessment task's identified value) for the fourth day and subsequent days up to and including seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. 
- A result of zero is awarded for an assessment task submitted after seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. Weekdays and weekends are included in the calculation of days late. To request an extension you must contact your course coordinator to negotiate an outcome.

SafeUniSC

UniSC is committed to a culture of respect and providing a safe and supportive environment for all members of our community. For immediate assistance on campus contact SafeUniSC by phone: 07 5430 1168 or using the SafeZone app. For general enquires contact the SafeUniSC team by phone 07 5456 3864 or email safe@usc.edu.au.

The SafeUniSC Specialist Service is a Student Wellbeing service that provides free and confidential support to students who may have experienced or observed behaviour that could cause fear, offence or trauma. To contact the service call 07 5430 1226 or email studentwellbeing@usc.edu.au.

Study help

For help with course-specific advice, for example what information to include in your assessment, you should first contact your tutor, then your course coordinator, if needed.

If you require additional assistance, the Learning Advisers are trained professionals who are ready to help you develop a wide range of academic skills. Visit the Learning Advisers web page for more information, or contact Student Central for further assistance: +61 7 5430 2890 or studentcentral@usc.edu.au.

Wellbeing Services

Student Wellbeing provide free and confidential counselling on a wide range of personal, academic, social and psychological matters, to foster positive mental health and wellbeing for your academic success.

To book a confidential appointment go to Student Hub, email studentwellbeing@usc.edu.au or call 07 5430 1226.

AccessAbility Services

Ability Advisers ensure equal access to all aspects of university life. If your studies are affected by a disability, learning disorder mental health issue, injury or illness, or you are a primary carer for someone with a disability or who is considered frail and aged, AccessAbility Services can provide access to appropriate reasonable adjustments and practical advice about the support and facilities available to you throughout the University.

To book a confidential appointment go to Student Hub, email AccessAbility@usc.edu.au or call 07 5430 2890.

Links to relevant University policy and procedures

For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including:

  • Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs
  • Review of Assessment and Final Grades
  • Supplementary Assessment
  • Central Examinations
  • Deferred Examinations
  • Student Conduct
  • Students with a Disability

For more information, visit https://www.usc.edu.au/explore/policies-and-procedures#academic-learning-and-teaching

Student Charter

UniSC is committed to excellence in teaching, research and engagement in an environment that is inclusive, inspiring, safe and respectful. The Student Charter sets out what students can expect from the University, and what in turn is expected of students, to achieve these outcomes.

General Enquiries

  • In person:
    • UniSC Sunshine Coast - Student Central, Ground Floor, Building C, 90 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs
    • UniSC Moreton Bay - Service Centre, Ground Floor, Foundation Building, Gympie Road, Petrie
    • UniSC SouthBank - Student Central, Building A4 (SW1), 52 Merivale Street, South Brisbane
    • UniSC Gympie - Student Central, 71 Cartwright Road, Gympie
    • UniSC Fraser Coast - Student Central, Student Central, Building A, 161 Old Maryborough Rd, Hervey Bay
    • UniSC Caboolture - Student Central, Level 1 Building J, Cnr Manley and Tallon Street, Caboolture
  • Tel:+61 7 5430 2890
  • Email:studentcentral@usc.edu.au