Program Overview

---

ENGL236 - Writing Asia

Unit Rationale, Description, and Aim

Professionals working in literary studies and creative writing need to appreciate and be able to explain the place of Asian literature in the contemporary field of global literature. This unit involves the completion of a special project that integrates academic learning, employability skills, and an improved knowledge of organizations, workplace culture, and career pathways in the cultural and educational industries.

Campus Offering

No unit offerings are currently available for this unit.

Prerequisites

NIL

Learning Outcomes

To successfully complete this unit, students will be able to demonstrate the following learning outcomes:

• Demonstrate an independent approach to learning in relation to theoretical approaches and textual knowledge of contemporary Asian literature
• Communicate clearly in written form, in a style appropriate to a specified audience
• Work collegially to complete a range of activities as a member of a team
• Apply knowledge, skills, and methods of literary studies to complete a relevant research project in contemporary Asian literature
• Reflect on the process and output of a research project/placement experience to articulate their academic and career development learning

Content

The unit will be structured in three parts:

1. Pre-internship preparation
2. The Singapore Experience: Internship and Cultural Immersion
3. Research Project and Reflections on the Learning Experience

Assessment Strategy and Rationale

The assessment tasks for this unit have been designed to assess students' developing skills and knowledge over the course of the unit. The tasks include:

• Hurdle requirement: Students must be vaccinated as required and have medical clearance to travel outside of Australia
• Hurdle Requirement: Satisfactory completion of internship and learning activities in Singapore
• Research task: Demonstrating an understanding of key debates and issues in contemporary Asian writing
• Reflection Task: Reflecting on the learning experience on the role of literature in generating cross-cultural understanding

Learning and Teaching Strategy and Rationale

This unit will run in intensive mode with multi-mode classes using Webinars, and full attendance is required in Singapore. Prior to travel to Singapore, students will engage in exercises, discussions, and readings to ensure they are fully prepared for their internship experience.

Representative Texts and References

• Brians, Paul. Modern South Asian Literature in English. Greenwood Press, 2003
• Daniel, Ryan, and Daniel, Leah. "Enhancing the Transition from Study to Work: Reflections on the Value and Impact of Internships in the Creative and Performing Arts"
• Kramer-Simpson, Elisabeth. "Moving from Student to Professional: Industry Mentors and Academic Internship Coordinators Supporting Intern Learning in the Workplace"
• Miller, Barbara Stoler (ed). Masterworks of Asian Literature in Comparative Perspective: A Guide for Teaching. Routledge, 2016
• Pollock, Sheldon. Literary Cultures in History: Reconstructions from South Asia. University of California Press, 2003
• Sadana, Rashmi. English Heart, Hindi Heartland: The Political Life of Literature in India. University of California Press, 2012
• Sankaran, Chitra, and Leong, Liew Geok (eds). Complicities: Connections and Divisions: Perspectives on Literatures and Cultures of the Asia-Pacific Region. Bern: Peter Lang, 2003

Credit Points

10

Year

2026