Overview
This unit gives you an opportunity to undertake an independent project with an emphasis on how society, history, culture or politics have been framed within literature from different traditions, locations and at different periods of time, and to think across traditional boundaries to demonstrate how literature and culture are interrelated. The project is flexible and will be designed by you in consultation with academic supervisors to meet negotiated and specific project learning outcomes. It will involve academic research into a body of literature in the context of contemporary issues and culture.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Admission to CC10 or completion of 90 credit points in CA10, CB94, CC13, CG85 or CC43.
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 2 - 2025
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes - in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Postgraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of 'pass' in order to pass the unit. If any 'pass/fail' tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully ('pass' grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the 'assessment task' section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback - Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from Unit Coordinator self-reflection.
More examples of comparative analysis projects and additional learning materials to expand on approaches/methods in comparative analysis.
The unit content should be updated to include more examples of comparative analysis and to expand on the methods that can be used to undertake analysis.
Feedback from Unit coordinator reflection and student feedback.
Connection to "real-world" applications.
The unit content and the learning outcomes need to be more clearly connected to real-world use cases.
Feedback from Student feedback.
Students indicated that while assessment feedback was useful, more overall communication would be beneficial.
Continue to provide clear and useable assessment feedback, however, steps should be taken to create a more connected unit experience and to communicate regularly and in a consistent medium with students.
- Develop a critical research question and objectives for an independent comparative literary project, informed by individual interests and scholarly inquiry
- Collect and critically evaluate relevant literary texts and published scholarly criticism using initiative and judgement
- Plan and execute a literary project that combines independent research and original textual analysis, and displays a sustained sense of social/historical/cultural/political context
- Complete a substantive written project that demonstrates a synthesis of knowledge, theory and research to a professional standard.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Research Proposal - 15% | ||||
| 2 - Annotated bibliography - 25% | ||||
| 3 - Project (research) - 60% | ||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Knowledge | ||||
| 2 - Communication | ||||
| 3 - Cognitive, technical and creative skills | ||||
| 4 - Research | ||||
| 5 - Self-management | ||||
| 6 - Ethical and Professional Responsibility | ||||
| 7 - Leadership | ||||
| 8 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | ||||
Textbooks
There are no required textbooks.
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- Zoom access: microphone and webcam required
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Harvard (author-date)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
a.hickling@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Introduction to Comparative Literature + Genres of comparison (Method) + choosing/developing a research question.
This is a student-driven research project unit.
Students are provided with topics each week that offer guidance on the fundamentals of comparative literature, continued skill development in literary analysis, and research methods necessary to complete the assessments and overall research project.
The unit is "Top Heavy" or "Front Loaded" meaning the first half of the unit is loaded with more content to provide direction and skill building, where the second half is focused on allowing students to immerse themselves in the close reading and analysis of the their texts, and providing supervision for completing the project.
Chapter
Each week there will be a suggested study guide and potential readings within each weekly tile (weeks 1-11).
Events and Submissions/Topic
Students should:
- Introduce themselves via the Moodle forum.
- Familiarise themselves with the assessments via the Assessments Tile.
- Add the assessment due dates to their personal calendar or schedule; and
- Make note of the "Assessment Extension Request" form in the Support Menu.
- Work through the orientation tile and the study guide in the week 1 tile to familiarise themselves with the structure of the unit and how to work through the content.
- Attend the tutorial (check the timetable in the CQU Handbook for specifics) or watch the recording. This session will offer an introduction to the unit including details for assessments. It will also give students a chance to ask specific questions about Assessment Item 1. Date and time (AEST) and Zoom link are listed on the unit moodle site in the "Classes" tile. A recording of the session will be posted for those who are unable to attend as soon as practicable after the session.
- Work through the materials on developing their research question.
- Begin thinking about the texts they would like to compare for the final project.
Module/Topic
Writing a research proposal + Reading practices + Practices of comparison + Methods
Chapter
Refer to Study Guide
Events and Submissions/Topic
Students should:
- Be confident about the development of their research question.
- Have chosen their texts for comparison.
- Be drafting the A1 research proposal
Module/Topic
Comparative Literature & Decoloniality + Towards World Literature + Creating your research literature library/catalogue (beginning Annotated Bibliography)
Chapter
Refer to Study Guide
Events and Submissions/Topic
Students should:
- Lock in the date and time for a one-on-one zoom feedback session with the UC during week 4 – in this feedback, the student and the UC will discuss the suitability of the texts chosen for comparison and the research question. Further information on this will be provided on Moodle.
- Check assessment 1 against the Marking Guide prior to submission.
- Submit Assessment 1.
- Be gathering and cataloguing their research for use in the annotated bibliography (A2).
- Be reading the two primary texts and beginning analysis.
Research proposal Due: Week 3 Friday (1 Aug 2025) 11:59 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Modes of Comparison + Close Reading versus Distant Reading + Annotated Bibliography continued
Chapter
Refer to Study Guide
Events and Submissions/Topic
Students should:
- Have their zoom consult with UC to review A1 feedback and confirm research question and texts for comparison.
- Be gathering the scholarly texts for the annotated bibliography, and writing the draft.
- Be reading the two primary texts and beginning analysis.
Module/Topic
The Annotated bibliography
Chapter
Refer to Study Guide
Events and Submissions/Topic
Students should:
- Be drafting A2 annotated bibliography.
- Be reading the two primary texts for comparison and continuing analysis/close reading.
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Completing the annotated bibliography
Chapter
Refer to Study Guide
Events and Submissions/Topic
Students should:
- Be revising/polishing A2. Check against marking guide for gaps.
- Submit Assessment 2 -- annotated bibliography
- Be re-reading the two primary texts for comparison and continuing analysis/close reading.
Annotated bibliography Due: Week 6 Friday (29 Aug 2025) 11:59 pm AEST
Module/Topic
How to: From Annotated Bibliography to Literature Review
Chapter
Refer to Study Guide
Events and Submissions/Topic
Students should:
- Considering how to approach the organisation of their literature review based on the learnings from the module/topic and from the results of the analysis, and writing up the literature review.
- Be re-reading the two primary texts for comparison and continuing analysis/close reading.
Module/Topic
Diving deeper into the literary comparative analysis.
Chapter
Refer to Study Guide
Events and Submissions/Topic
Students should be:
- Documenting and writing around the analysis.
Module/Topic
Findings/Discussion
Chapter
Refer to Study Guide
Events and Submissions/Topic
Students should:
- Be documenting the findings of their analysis.
Module/Topic
Pulling it all together: Writing / Compiling your research project.
Chapter
Refer to Study Guide
Events and Submissions/Topic
Students should:
- Have a clear outline of their project structure.
Module/Topic
Conclusion + Editing and proofreading.
Chapter
Refer to Study Guide
Events and Submissions/Topic
Students should:
- Be revising assessment 3.
- Check their research project against the marking guide to look for any gaps.
Module/Topic
Finalising Project Week: No new unit content.
No tutorial
Chapter
No study guide
No tutorial
Events and Submissions/Topic
Students should:
- Be proofreading and editing assessment 3 -- research project.
- Submit A3 -- research project.
Unit reflection and evaluation.
Research project Due: Week 12 Friday (10 Oct 2025) 11:59 pm AEST
1 Research Proposal
Weighting: 15%
Length: 800-900 words (+/- 10%)
Minimum references: Four (4) scholarly references
Task overview:
For this assessment, you are expected to develop a critical research question and objectives for an independent comparative literary project, informed by individual interests and scholarly inquiry, and which addresses a social/historical/cultural/political issue. You will articulate a clear method for investigating the research question. The goal is to demonstrate the ability to conceptualise and design an original research project that contributes to the field of comparative literature.
Mandatory One-on-One oral Feedback via Zoom:
This assessment will include a one-on-one oral feedback discussion with lecturer in week 4 facilitated via zoom (which will be locked in during week 3). This is designed for formative feedback that will confirm the suitability of the research question for the final project and the chosen texts for comparison.
You must pass assessment 1 and complete your oral feedback session in order to move on to assessment 2 and assessment 3. The result of the assessment 1 will be confirmed in the feedback session – if there are recommended significant changes to either the research question or the texts for comparison (or both), these will need to be addressed prior to the final ‘okay’ to progress with the project. This will be completed by you and approved by the lecturer no later than Wednesday of week 5 to ensure you have enough time to complete A2.
This is an official assessment item and the rules of academic integrity apply. Students are expected to complete this assessment independently and adhere to the conditions associated with undertaking an assessment task.
Use of GenAI Tools
Level 2 - You may use Al for planning, idea development, and research. Your final submission should show how you have developed and refined these ideas. Any misuse or lack of disclosure regarding the use of AI tools will be considered a breach of academic integrity.
You must disclose all use of Gen AI in your submission and include a GenAI Statement on your cover page whether you used it or not.
You are expected to reference how and where it has been used using the ALC reference guide as they have defined a mechanism for this.
Week 3 Friday (1 Aug 2025) 11:59 pm AEST
See unit site on Moodle for details.
Week 4 Friday (8 Aug 2025)
Finalised after mandatory zoom feedback consult.
- Clarity and relevance of research question
- Suitability of proposed method of comparison
- Suitability of proposed texts for comparison
- Engagement with scholarly sources (min 4), correct Harvard (author-date) referencing style, GenAI statement and referencing.
- Overall Presentation, including clarity of written expression, logical structure/organisation, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
Full descriptions of the assessment criteria will be provided in the assessment tiles in Moodle.
- Develop a critical research question and objectives for an independent comparative literary project, informed by individual interests and scholarly inquiry
2 Annotated bibliography
Weighting: 25%
Length: 1200-1800 words (max 1800 words)
Scholarly References: min 8 - max 12
The purpose of an annotated bibliography in academic writing is to provide a comprehensive overview and critical evaluation of the sources relevant to a particular research topic.
You are required to create an annotated bibliography comprising no less than 8 (eight) and no more than 12 (twelve) scholarly sources. Each annotation should be no more than 150 words.
This assessment requires you to research and select a minimum of 8 scholarly sources related to your research question, that should help contextualise your research problem, and write an evaluative paragraph for each source. This paragraph will summarise the main ideas and assess the source's relevance, quality, and credibility.
The annotated bibliography should comprise a mix of scholarly journal articles, books and book chapters closely related to your proposed research question.
The bibliography will demonstrate consideration of social/historical/cultural/political context.
You must apply Harvard (author date) standard referencing style throughout the assignment. Be accurate and check and double check the Harvard style requirements.
This assignment will help you to critically evaluate sources and begin synthesising research for your final research project: Assessment 3.
Note: The annotations are not simply be a review of just the content of the source/reference. The annotation needs to demonstrate your ability to critically evaluate and analyse the literature and relate its relevance to your comparative research project. It is expected that the literature used in this assignment will be relevant to Assessment Item 3: Research Project in this unit.
This is an official assessment item and the rules of academic integrity apply. Students are expected to complete this assessment independently and adhere to the conditions associated with undertaking an assessment task.
Use of GenAI Tools
Level 1: You must not use Al at any point during the assessment. You must demonstrate your core skills and knowledge. Any misuse or lack of disclosure regarding the use of AI tools will be considered a breach of academic integrity.
WORD COUNT for written assignments: The word count is considered from the first word of the Introduction to the last word of the Conclusion. It excludes the cover page, abstract, contents page, reference page and appendices. It includes in-text references and direct quotations.
Week 6 Friday (29 Aug 2025) 11:59 pm AEST
Refer to Moodle
Week 8 Friday (12 Sept 2025)
- Demonstrates particular and methodical source selection, emphasising quality, credibility, and relevance--including demonstrating the link between the source and proposed research project.
- Critical analysis and evaluation of sources: Each annotation demonstrates critical analysis of the reference, including evaluating the validity of the research methods used in each reference, or considering the social/historical/cultural/political context as relevant to the research proposal, and a description of the relevance of each reference to the proposed research project.
- Each annotation summarises the key themes/arguments outlined in each reference and explains how the research was conducted.
- The submission applies correct style, formatting, and layout applicable to an Annotated Bibliography, including utilising academic prose style and referencing according with the Harvard (author date) style requirements, and the submission properly edited, spell-checked and grammar-checked.
Full descriptions of the assessment criteria will be provided in the assessment tiles in Moodle.
- Collect and critically evaluate relevant literary texts and published scholarly criticism using initiative and judgement
- Plan and execute a literary project that combines independent research and original textual analysis, and displays a sustained sense of social/historical/cultural/political context
3 Project (research)
Weighting: 65%
Length: up to 6000 words
As part of your studies in Comparative Literature, you will undertake a substantial research project that will allow you to explore a literary topic of your choice in depth. This project aims to develop your skills in independent research, critical analysis, and scholarly writing, while also fostering an understanding of the broader social, historical, cultural, and political contexts that shape literary works.
This project begins within assessments 1 & 2, where you develop your research question, literary construct (theme, genre, style, time period, translation, etc), method of analysis and begin your research from a variety of primary and secondary sources. This project is the culmination of further extensive research, and analysis and comparison of how your chosen literary construct is represented and interpreted in different contexts.
Through this process, you will gain experience in the rich and evolving discipline of comparative literature, and in synthesising diverse works of literature through critical approaches.
This project is a substantial written work that demonstrates your ability to engage with complex literary concepts, articulate original insights, and situate their analysis within a broader scholarly discourse.
NOTE: Late assignments may receive a grade but no feedback.
This is an official assessment item and the rules of academic integrity apply. Students are expected to complete this assessment independently and adhere to the conditions associated with undertaking an assessment task.
Use of GenAI Tools
Level 2 - You may use Al for planning, idea development, and research. Your final submission should show how you have developed and refined these ideas. Any misuse or lack of disclosure regarding the use of AI tools will be considered a breach of academic integrity.
You must disclose all use of Gen AI in your submission and include a GenAI Statement on your cover page whether you used it or not.
You are expected to reference how and where it has been used using the ALC reference guide as they have defined a mechanism for this.
WORD COUNT for written assignments: The word count is considered from the first word of the Introduction to the last word of the Conclusion. It excludes the cover page, abstract, contents page, reference page and appendices. It includes in-text references and direct quotations.
Week 12 Friday (10 Oct 2025) 11:59 pm AEST
Refer to Moodle.
Exam Week Friday (24 Oct 2025)
1. Project originality and contribution to the discipline
2. Depth and success of critical comparative analysis
3. Research quality and source integration
4. Contextual and theoretical integration
5. Academic writing and scholarly presentation (incl. referencing and GenAI)
Full descriptions of the assessment criteria will be provided in the assessment tiles in Moodle.
- Plan and execute a literary project that combines independent research and original textual analysis, and displays a sustained sense of social/historical/cultural/political context
- Complete a substantive written project that demonstrates a synthesis of knowledge, theory and research to a professional standard.
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
