MajorUndergraduate

LITRYSTD11 Literary studies

Faculty of Arts

Literary studies (LITRYSTD11) is a major worth 48 credit points, listing 27 units, taught at Clayton and Caulfield. It is offered in 2 courses: Bachelor of Arts and Diploma of Liberal Arts.

Credit points
48
Units
27
Campus
Clayton, Caulfield
Offered in
2 courses

This is the 2025 handbook entry. See the 2026 entry.

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Requisite map

Overview

Literary Studies is dedicated to the study of literature in English and the development of your skills in creative writing. You will learn how to write critically about what you read, and gain an understanding of the relations between language, literature and culture in different historical periods.
 
In this major* you will be able to select from a range of core and elective units in literary studies and creative writing.

Literary studies units cover historical and contemporary literatures ranging from Renaissance drama through to digital literature.  The core units provide an introduction to ways of reading and writing about fiction, non-fiction, poetry and drama, immersing you in detailed studies of important authors, periods and theories. Specialist electives focus on: critical themes (literature by women), genre literature (supernatural literature, children’s literature, and fairy-tale), and national literatures (American, Irish and Australian).

Creative writing units gives you the opportunity to experiment with a variety of literary forms, genres and techniques (e.g. fiction, poetry, non-fiction and scriptwriting). You will learn how to build a sustainable writing practice, learn how to workshop pieces, reflect creatively and analytically on your own work, and engage with the literary industry.
 
*Applies to the minor as well
 
Availability

Literary studies is listed in A2000 Bachelor of Arts at Caulfield and Clayton as a major and a minor, and in A0502 Diploma of Liberal Arts at Caulfield and Clayton as a major.

Structure

Rules
No more than 12 credit points at Level 1 may be credited to the major and at least 18 credit points must be at Level 3.
Level 1 gateway units12 credit points
Level 2 cornerstone units6 credit points
Level 3 capstone units6 credit points
You must complete one of the following units.
Note: If you are intending to undertake an honours year you are encouraged to take ATS3189.
Level 2 and 3 elective units24 credit points

Courses that offer it

Notes

Intending honours students
If you are intending to enter honours in this area of study you must have completed a major in the discipline, with a minimum of 24 credit points of study at Level 3 to be eligible.  If you are intending to undertake an honours year you are encouraged to take ATS3189.

Learning outcomes

In addition to achieving the broad outcomes of your course, and successfully completing this area of study, you will be able to:
  1. 1

    demonstrate advanced understanding of the development of literary texts across different professional, cultural, historical and/or linguistic contexts;

  2. 2

    produce high level critical and/or creative written practice, in or about literary genres such as fiction, poetry and creative nonfiction;

  3. 3

    apply advanced critical reading in the context of the field of literary studies;

  4. 4

    evaluate critically a range of approaches to literary and critical analysis;

  5. 5

    complete independent research in literary studies, using print and electronic sources;

  6. 6

    engage in self-directed collaborative group work.

Contacts

Academic Coordinators
Associate Professor Simone Murray

Common questions

Which courses offer Literary studies?

2 courses in 2025: Bachelor of Arts and Diploma of Liberal Arts.

What units are in Literary studies?

It lists 27 units, including ATS1059, ATS1903, ATS1904, ATS2200, ATS2248, ATS2284, ATS2294 and ATS2422. The structure above shows which are required and which you choose.

Major details

Type
Major
Study level
Undergraduate
Credit points
48
Faculty
Faculty of Arts
Organisational unit
School of Languages, Literatures, Cultures and Linguistics
Handbook years
20222023202420252026