E 344L  and Film

Instructor: Berry, B Areas: N/A Unique #: 35305 Flags: N/A Semester: Fall 2011 Restrictions: N/A Cross-lists: N/A Computer Instruction: N

Prerequisites: Comparative Literature 315, English 603B, 316K, or Tutorial Course 603B.

Description: A representative selection of Australian writing and films from the founding, 1788, to the present. The subject of each class meeting may be determined from the assigned reading for the day (see following). The instructor retains the right to vary this syllabus.

Texts: — Purchase all at the beginning of the course: o Australian Literature and Film Co-op Packet o Kate Jennings, Snake — Co-op Packet o Robyn Davidson, Tracks Complete readings by their assigned date and come prepared for class discussion.

Films — We will see three full-length feature films—Walkabout, The Tracker, & Muriel’s Wedding— and various documentaries on and Australian Film. Note that it is important to see the films in class, as they will be accompanied by lecture/commentary.

Requirements & Grading: Because participation contributes to your grade, attendance is strongly encouraged. Grades will be determined on the following basis:

Mid-Term Exam 30% [Thursday, October 20th] Essay 20% [by Tuesday, November 22nd] Final Exam* 35% [Tuesday, December 1st] Class Participation 15%

* Plus and minus grades will be given.

* Our Final Exam is scheduled by the University and there may be no exceptions. Location of the final exam is determined by the University approximately four weeks before the semester ends; please consult the Registrar’s page for details: http://registar.utexas.edu/students/exams/index.html

Schedule: AUGUST

25 Th: FIRST CLASS: Intro to course, texts, and aims. Review syllabus, bio cards.

30 T: Lecture: The Founding, January 26, 1788: Australia Day/Invasion Day/Survival Day. Robert Hughes, first chapter from The Fatal Shore (AL packet). SEPTEMBER

1 Th: Lecture: Tales of the Convicts.

6 T: Lecture: Oz Geography and Modern History. 8 Th Robyn Davidson, Tracks (separate text), Part One “Alice Sprung,” pp. 19-115.

13 T: Tracks, Parts Two and Three, “Shedding Burdens” and “Little Bit Long Way,” pp. 117-225. 15 Th: Tracks, Part Four, “On the Far Side,” pp. 229-254 [end].

20 T: “Marrying Eddie” (AL packet). 22 Th: Film: first half of Walkabout.

27 T: Film: finish and discuss Walkabout. 29 Th: Lecture: Federation, January 1, 1901; A.B. Paterson, “Clancy of the Overflow”; “Waltzing Matilda”; Louisa Lawson, “The Australian Bush-Woman” (all in AL packet).

OCTOBER 4 T: , “The ’s Wife,” “’Water Them Geraniums’,” “Telling Mrs Baker” (all in AL packet). 6 Th: Edward Dyson, “The Conquering Bush”; Katherine Mansfield, “The Woman at the Store.”

11 T: Russell Drysdale, “The Drover’s Wife” (painting); Murray Bail, “The Drover’s Wife”; Barbara Jefferis, “The Drover’s Wife” (all in AL packet). 13 Th: Frank Moorhouse, “The Drover’s Wife” Anne Gambling, “The Drover’s De Facto”; David Ireland, “The Drover’s Wife” (all in AL packet).

18 T: Ian Wilkinson, “The Driver’s Wife”; Chris Eipper, “The Wife’s Drover”; Craig Cormick, “The Drover’s Wife” (all in AL packet). 20 Th: MID-TERM EXAM.

25 T: Film: first half of The Tracker.

27 Th: Film: finish and discuss The Tracker. Have read “Grog”: Aboriginal Voices

(in AL packet).

NOVEMBER 1 T: Lecture: The Whitlam Era; Michael Wilding, “Class Feeling,” “Joe’s Absence,” “Bye Bye Jack. See You Soon” (all in AL packet). ESSAY ASSIGNED. 3 Th: Frank Moorhouse, “Dell Goes Into Politics,” “The American Poet’s Visit”; A. A. Phillips, “The Cultural Cringe” (all in AL packet).

8 T: Don Graham, “Koka Kola Kulture: Reflections on Things American Down Under”; “The Voice on the Veranda” (both in AL packet). Catch-up on Wilding and Moorhouse. Class Handout: Moorhouse, “The Jack Kerouac Wake — The True Story.” 10 Th: Film: first half of Muriel’s Wedding.

15 T: Film: finish and discuss Muriel’s Wedding. 17 Th: Vicki Viidikas, (stories) “The Snowman in the Dutch Masterpiece” and “The Incomplete Portrait”; [poem] “Punishment and Cures.” Betsy Berry [poem] “Sydney in Shadows” (all in AL packet). Essay due today or by next class.

22 T: Kate Jennings, Snake, pp. 3-54 (in Snake packet). ESSAY DUE. 25 Th: THANKSGIVING Holiday. Be safe, and enjoy!

29 T: Snake, pp. 55-157 [end]. Exam 2 next class. DECEMBER 1 Th: LAST CLASS. EXAM 2.

Policies:

Students with disabilities may request appropriate academic accommodations from the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement, Services for Students with Disabilities, 471.6259. o Attendance is required. o NO ALTERNATE EXAM TIMES. o Films, class handouts, and any other in-class materials carry the same status as assigned texts & class lectures/discussions. o Please try to avoid distracting late arrivals or early exits. o I will discuss office hours and emailing policies at the beginning of the semester. o This class will be a laptop-free environment.

The instructor retains the right to vary this syllabus.