At a glance
A course where students study literary texts and learn how powerful writing can shape ideas and views of the world. Students read, discuss and write about texts from different times and cultures, and create their own responses.
This course is a good choice for students who:
- enjoy reading novels, plays and poems and talking about ideas
- like writing creatively and writing strong arguments
- want to think deeply about how language and style create meaning
About this course
Literature focuses on close study of literary texts and how they shape meaning, ideas and perspectives. Students develop interpretations and support them using evidence, and respond creatively and critically. Assessment usually includes analytical writing and creative tasks, supported by research and discussion.
Pathways
This course can support pathways into areas such as:
- university study that values strong reading and writing skills
- journalism, communications and media
- law, education, humanities and social sciences
- any pathway that values critical thinking and clear communication
Units in this course
Students complete 2 units for a Minor or 4 units for a Major.
Unit 1: Ways of Reading and Creating
This unit is about different ways of reading and creating literary texts from a range of contexts and traditions.
Students will:
- explore how language, structure and style shape meaning and response
- create analytical and imaginative responses using evidence
Unit 2: Intertextuality
This unit is about how texts connect with other texts (intertextuality) and how those links affect meaning.
Students will:
- compare texts and explore connections across contexts
- explain similarities, differences and effects using evidence
Unit 3: Power of Literature
This unit is about how literature can represent culture, identity, ideas and values.
Students will:
- explore how texts represent people, events and ideas
- write responses that test and challenge interpretations
Unit 4: Literary Interpretations
This unit is about interpretation of literary texts and how interpretations can change over time.
Students will:
- explore how language, structure and style shape meaning
- develop and justify interpretations using evidence