Dr Lisa Walters
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 1, 2025 (24/02/2025 - 21/06/2025)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences
By exploring a series of creative and imaginative works from the medieval era to the twentieth century, this course takes you on a journey through women’s writings and the ways in which gender is understood and performed in Western society and culture. Through reading a range of diverse authors, we will consider how writing by women, for women, and about women adds depth to our understanding of Western culture and its future. These writings profoundly changed the world in which they operated; they not only offer diverse visions of the capacities and capabilities of women, but also illustrate that gender, and the categories of ‘'woman" and ‘'man", have been contested sites of debate over the centuries. In addition, we will investigate how these changing, and often contradictory, conceptions of gender offer us with a richer understanding of Western culture and its traditions and horizons. Each week we will examine how attitudes towards women, men, and gender have changed over time, but also how these works continue to speak to contemporary issues and categories of gender today.
WCIV3000 introduces students to women’s literary contributions toﾠWestern culture and intellectual traditions.ﾠThe course is delivered through a combination of a one-hour lecture and a two-hour intensive reading and discussion group.ﾠRegular attendance, reading and participationﾠin all components of the course is vital.
Course requirements
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
WCIV1000 or 4 units of HUMN courses.
Restrictions
BAdvHum(Hons) and BHum/LLB(Hons) students only. BAdvHum(Hons) students taking this course as an elective please email westernciv@uq.edu.au.The maximum enrolment quota is 40.
Course staff
Course coordinator
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Aims and outcomes
WCIV3000 aims to:
ﾠ
1) Introduce students to a range of texts by women authors from the Medieval period to the late twentieth century.
ﾠ
2) Explore how women authors and constructions of gender have shaped Western culture andﾠliterary genres.
ﾠ
3) ﾠIntroduce students to methods of critical analysis of primary texts.
ﾠ
4) ﾠContribute to the acquisition of a range of graduate attributes, including the synthesis of ideas, the capacity to solve problems and to engage in teamwork, and the ability to communicate successfully both orally and in print.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Understand and critically assess the cultural and historical categories of women, culture, race, sexuality, class and gender in the context of Western thought and cultural production.
LO2.
Recognise and reflect on changes and diversity in attitudes towards women throughout Western history, and within the construct of Empire, and assess how these have impacted contemporary attitudes.
LO3.
Appreciate and demonstrate in oral and or written form an understanding of the social and cultural diversity of women, womens thoughts and womens cultural expressions in Western society.
LO4.
Recognise and engage in conversation and debate about major genres of womens thought, and womens cultural expression and the ways in which this contributes to constructions of gender and the category of women.
LO5.
Critique the significance of womens writing in Western culture, and apply feminist principles of critical inquiry.
LO6.
Demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between theory and praxis in concepts related to women, culture, race, sexuality, class and gender by working collaboratively to achieve positive outcomes.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Participation/ Student contribution |
Class Participation
|
15% |
Week 1 - Week 13 |
| Essay/ Critique | Research Essay | 40% |
7/04/2025 2:00 pm |
| Presentation | Group Presentation | 20% |
Week 13 - |
| Examination |
Final Exam
|
25% |
End of Semester Exam Period 7/06/2025 - 21/06/2025 |
Assessment details
Class Participation
- In-person
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance, Oral
- Category
- Participation/ Student contribution
- Weight
- 15%
- Due date
Week 1 - Week 13
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06
Task description
Your participation will be assessed according to the following criteria:
1. Evidence of participation in discussions.
2. Evidence of preparation for class, most notably through engaging with set readings and course lectures.
3. Quality of contributions to discussions.
4. Fostering of group discussions and engaging with other students’ ideas. Asking other students (or the whole class) questions about texts and authors is greatly encouraged.
5. Respect for classmates though it is fine (even encouraged) to disagree and debate with others.
6. Attendance is necessary to fulfill the above criteria, as per the course requirements.
To achieve a grade of 7 (85-100%), your attendance and participation will be excellent. This grade indicates excellent levels of preparation, and very high-quality contributions to, and fostering of, group discussions.
To achieve a grade of 6 (75-84%), your attendance and participation will be very good. This grade indicates very good levels of preparation, and high-quality contributions to, and fostering of, group discussions.
To achieve a grade of 5 (65-74%), your attendance and participation will be good. This grade reflects good levels of preparation, and good quality contributions to, and fostering of, group discussions.
To achieve a grade of 4 (50-64%), your attendance and participation will be satisfactory only. This grade reflects some level of preparation, and an acceptable quality of contributions to, and fostering of, group discussions.
To achieve a grade of 1-3 (less than 50%), your attendance and participation will be unsatisfactory. These grades reflect irregular attendance and/or participation, low levels of preparation, and mixed to low quality of contributions to, and fostering of, group discussions.
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Research Essay
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Essay/ Critique
- Weight
- 40%
- Due date
7/04/2025 2:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05
Task description
A 2,000-word research essay comparing two texts from the course.
This assessment task evaluates student’s abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Students are advised that the use of AI technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Group Presentation
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance, Oral
- Category
- Presentation
- Weight
- 20%
- Due date
Week 13 -
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06
Task description
On the last day of class, students will provide a group presentation on two texts from this course. Each group will be composed of two students who will provide a 10-12 minute presentation. (If a group needs to have 3 students the presentation should be 15-16 minutes).
Students can devise their own topic of analysis, which must be approved in advance by their instructor.
This assessment task evaluates student’s abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Students are advised that the use of AI technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Final Exam
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 25%
- Due date
End of Semester Exam Period
7/06/2025 - 21/06/2025
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05
Task description
Students will answer two essay questions from a list of choices. Students may only write about texts from the course that they have not covered in earlier assessments.
This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Exam details
| Planning time | 10 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 120 minutes |
| Calculator options | No calculators permitted |
| Open/closed book | Closed Book examination - no written materials permitted |
| Exam platform | Paper based |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0 - 24.99 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Grade 1, Serious Fail (0-24.99%), is generally awarded in cases where there has been some engagement with the assessment task and/or some work has been submitted, but of wholly unsatisfactory standard or quantity. There is no demonstrated evidence of understanding of the concepts of the field of study or basic requirements of the course. |
| 2 (Fail) | 25 - 44.99 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Grade 2, Fail (25-44.99%), is generally awarded to work that exhibits deficiencies in understanding and applying the fundamental concepts of the course and field of study, and as such, does not satisfy the basic requirements of the course. Often, one or more major items of assessment will not have been completed. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 45 - 49.99 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: Grade 3, Marginal Fail (45-49.99%), is generally awarded if a student has submitted work that attempts to meet the knowledge and skill requirements of the course, but is only able to demonstrate a superficial understanding of the fundamental concepts of the course and field of study. Students will usually have attempted all major pieces of assessment and show that they have an identifiable, emerging ability to apply basic knowledge and skills. |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64.99 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Grade 4, Pass (50-64.99%), is generally awarded where all major items of assessment have been submitted. An adequate knowledge of the fundamental concepts of the course and field of study should be demonstrated, and a functional skill level achieved. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74.99 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Grade 5, Credit (65-74.99%), is generally awarded where all items of assessment have been completed and a substantial understanding of the fundamental concepts of the course and field of study has been demonstrated.ﾠ |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84.99 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Grade 6, Distinction (75-84.99%), is generally awarded where all items of assessment have been completed and substantial knowledge of the deeper and more complex aspects of the course and field of study have been demonstrated. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Grade 7, High Distinction (85-100%), is generally awarded where all items of assessment have been completed and there is evidence that the deeper and more complex aspects of the course and field of study have been mastered. |
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Additional assessment information
Proof of Assessment Submission
Assignments for this course will be submitted electronically via Blackboard and using TurnItIn. Advice for using TurnItIn can be found here - how to submit a TurnItIn assignment.
When assessments are successfully submitted a notice will display, before the Assignment Dashboard will appear.
Students must download a digital receipt from the Assignment Dashboard as evidence of submitting a piece of assessment. The digital receipt must include ‘Submission date’ and ‘Submission ID’ as evidence of assignment submission. Other documentation provided as evidence will not be accepted.
Marks Cannot be Changed After Being Released
Marks are not open to negotiation with course staff. If you wish to discuss the feedback you have received, you should make an appointment to speak with the Course Coordinator.
Assessment Re-mark
Information on requesting an assessment re-mark can be accessed via my.UQ https://my.uq.edu.au/information-and-services/manage-my-program/academic-progress-and-final-results/querying-result.
Deferred Examinations (if applicable)
The University recognises that on occasion a medical condition or other exceptional circumstances may impair a studentﾒs ability to attend an examination at the scheduled date and time. Depending on the circumstances, a deferred examination may be approved, and the student permitted to sit the in-semester or end of semester examination at a later scheduled time. Information on eligibility and application instructions can be accessed via my.UQ https://my.uq.edu.au/information-and-services/manage-my-program/exams-and-assessment/deferring-exam.
Integrity Pledge
Assignments for this course will be submitted electronically via Blackboard and using Turnitin. Before submitting any assignments, students must ensure to have completed UQ's compulsory online Academic Integrity Tutorial https://www.uq.edu.au/integrity/Login.aspx?ReturnUrl=%252fintegrity.
In uploading an assignment via Turnitin you are certifying that it is your original work, that it has not been copied in whole or part from another person or source except where this is properly acknowledged, and that it has not in whole or part been previously submitted for assessment in any other course at this or any other university.
Withholding marks prior to finalisation of grades
In accordance with the Assessment Judgements section of the Assessment Procedures, results for all summative assessment items are made available to individual students through the eLearning Management System on completion of marking, with the exception of the final assessment item which is to be released only after the final grade for the course has been released.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.
Other course materials
If we've listed something under further requirement, you'll need to provide your own.
Required
| Item | Description | Further Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Margery Kempe. The Book of Margery Kempe. Ed. Anthony Bale. Oxford University Press, 2015. | Please read pages 3-117. | own item needed |
| Marie de France's "Lanval" in The Lays of Marie de France, translated by David R. Slavitt (Athabasca University Press, 2013). | Please read pages 55-70. Available here: http://www.aupress.ca/app/uploads/120228_99Z_Slavitt_2013-The_Lays_of_Marie_de_France.pdf | |
| Louise Labe. "Sonnets" in Complete Poetry and Prose a Bilingual Edition. Ed. and trans. for prose Deborah Lesko Baker and trans. for poetry Annie Finch. The University of Chicago Press, 2006. | ||
| Veronica Franco. Excerpts from Poems and Selected Letters Veronica Franco. Eds. and trans. Ann Rosalind Jones and Margaret F. Rosenthal. University of Chicago Press, 1998. | ||
| Margaret Cavendish. Paper Bodies: A Margaret Cavendish Reader. Eds. Sylvia Bowerbank and Sara Mendelson. Broadview Press, 2000. | own item needed | |
| Aphra Behn. Excerpts from The Works of Aphra Behn, Volume 1, Poetry. Ed. Janet Todd. Routledge, 2016. | ||
| Phillis Wheatley. Excerpts from Complete Writings: Phillis Wheatley. Ed. Vincent Carretta. Penguin Books, 2001. | ||
| Emily Bronte. Wuthering Heights. Ed. John Bugg. Oxford University Press, 2020. | own item needed | |
| Christina Rossetti. Excerpts from Victorian Literature: An Anthology. Wiley Blackwell, 2015. | ||
| Virginia Woolf. Orlando: A Biography. Ed. Michael H. Whitworth. Oxford University Press, 2014. | own item needed | |
| Toni Morrison. Beloved. Vintage, 2004. | own item needed |
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Week 1 |
Lecture |
Medieval women Arthurian legend and the genre of romance in Marie de France's Lanval Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06 |
Week 2 (03 Mar - 09 Mar) |
No student involvement (Breaks, information) |
Reading Week due to classes being cancelled by cyclone Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06 |
Week 3 (10 Mar - 16 Mar) |
Lecture |
The first autobiography in English The Book of Margery Kempe, pages 3-117. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06 |
Week 4 (17 Mar - 23 Mar) |
Lecture |
Women's challenge to Renaissance love poetry Desire, sexuality and subjectivity in the poetry of Louise Labe (sonnets 1-24) and in select poetry by Veronica Franco Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06 |
Week 5 (24 Mar - 30 Mar) |
Lecture |
Drama Margaret Cavendish, The Convent of Pleasure Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06 |
Week 6 (31 Mar - 06 Apr) |
Lecture |
Pioneering science fiction Margaret Cavendish, The Blazing World Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06 |
Week 7 (07 Apr - 13 Apr) |
Lecture |
Restoration poetics Aphra Behn's amatory poetry Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06 |
Week 8 (14 Apr - 20 Apr) |
Lecture |
Phyllis Wheatley, the erudite slave Revolution, poetry and the rights of African Americans Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06 |
Week 9 (28 Apr - 04 May) |
Lecture |
The Victorian gothic novel Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06 |
Week 10 (05 May - 11 May) |
Lecture |
Gender and nineteenth century poetry Christina Rossetti, Goblin Market and other poems Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06 |
Week 11 (12 May - 18 May) |
Lecture |
Rethinking selfhood and the genre of biography Virginia Woolf, Orlando: A Biography Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06 |
Week 12 (19 May - 25 May) |
Lecture |
Trauma and post-slavery in the 20th century novel Toni Morrison, Beloved Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06 |
Week 13 (26 May - 01 Jun) |
Seminar |
Group Presentations Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06 |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments - Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.