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Unit outline_

ICLS3002: Oceanic Literatures

Semester 2, 2026 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Drawing on critical frameworks in oceanic studies, this unit will focus on the Indian Ocean, the Caribbean, the Pacific and/or the Mediterranean as creative and plural spaces in which cultures, languages and imaginaries intersect. Through critical reading of the diverse forms of story-telling that arise from and in these spaces, we will examine how living with, in or near these bodies of water informs cultural memory, regional imaginaries and notions of identity and belonging.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit International Comparative Literature and Translation Studies
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
12 credit points at 2000 level in ICLS or English or 12 credit points at 2000 or 3000 level in Arabic Language and Cultures or Chinese Studies or French and Francophone Studies or Germanic Studies or Modern Hebrew or Indonesian Studies or Italian Studies or Jewish Civilisation, Thought and Culture or Japanese Studies or Korean Studies or Modern Greek and Byzantine Studies or Spanish and Latin American Studies
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Lea Vuong, lea.vuong@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 31 August 2026
Type Description Weight Due Length Use of AI
Interactive oral Scaffolded Project Building
3 x Project check-in (500w each)
30% Multiple weeks 1500 AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3
In-person written or creative task In class close analyses
2 x 1100 word in-class close analyses
30% Multiple weeks 2200 words AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3
Written work Research Project
1 x 2300w research project
40% Week 13
Due date: 06 Nov 2026 at 10:06
2300 words AI allowed
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3

Assessment summary

Please refer to assessment description and guidelines (including rubric) on Canvas for full and up-to-date details.

Assessment criteria

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard, as summarised below:

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Work of an exceptional standard

Distinction

75 - 84

Work of a very high standard

Credit

65 - 74

Work of a good standard

Pass

50 - 64

Work of an acceptable standard

Fail

0 - 49

The learning outcomes of the unit of study have not been met to a satisfactory standard.Ìý

Ìý

Ìý

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of theÌýAcademic Integrity Policy.

Visit theÌýCurrent Students websiteÌýfor more information on AI in assessments, includingÌýdetails on how to acknowledge its use.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Late submission In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date: Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date. After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our websiteÌýprovides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed theÌýAcademic Honesty Education Module (AHEM)Ìýwhich is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit theÌýCurrent Students websiteÌýfor more information on AI in assessments, includingÌýdetails on how to acknowledge its use.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through aÌýsimple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible forÌýspecial consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students,ÌýÌýincludes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students PolicyÌýreflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Weekly Please refer to Canvas unit site for detailed and up-to-date schedule of activities Lecture (26 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3

Attendance and class requirements

This is a seminar-style unit: students should attend all classes (2 consecutive hours per week over 13 weeks), complete all required reading in advance, and are expected to be active participants and respectful listeners during class time.Ìý

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. Understand and use critical frameworks in oceanic studies
  • LO2. Analyse diverse forms of story-telling relating to water
  • LO3. Examine and apply knowledge relating to cultural memory, regional imaginaries and notions of identity and belonging.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all ±¬ÁÏÍõ graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

This a new unit, running for its first iteration in 2026. We look forward to student feedback at the end of the semester.

Disclaimer

Important: the ±¬ÁÏÍõ regularly reviews units of study and reserves the right to change the units of study available annually. To stay up to date on available study options, including unit of study details and availability, refer to the relevant handbook.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an .