English

Tertiary education with a

Christian perspective.
English.

Bachelor of Arts,
Higher Ed. Diploma in Arts
Associate Degree in Arts
Graduate Certificate
Graduate Diploma
(External Studies Options)

External Studies in English

Tabor Adelaide now offers an extensive

External Studies course which enables
students to undertake a course of structured
studies in English – whether they live in
remote locations or outside Australia, or have
work/family commitments which prohibit
attending classes. In addition to lecture notes,
readers and other resources, qualified staff
members will be available to students to assist
with questions and to provide timely feedback
to submitted work.

What is Tabor Adelaide?
Tabor Adelaide is a multi-denominational
Christian Education Centre offering
government-accredited courses in a variety
of disciplines at tertiary level. Tabor Adelaide
is a Commonwealth approved Higher
Education Provider.
Application Process
Application can be made on line at
Tabor Adelaide
www.taboradelaide.edu.au
FEE-HELP
Most higher education students at Tabor
Adelaide who are Australian citizens are
able to defer their tuition fees through a
Commonwealth Government loan scheme
called FEE-HELP. Prospective students should
enquire at Student Services when they apply
to enrol.
 English
Bachelor of Arts (English) Graduate Diploma (English)

1. Entry into the BA in English requires no
previous tertiary qualification.
2. The course comprises modules to the value
of 144 credit points; a total of 24 subjects over
three years’ full time or equivalent study.
1. Applicants for this course are required to
hold a tertiary level qualification at bachelor
level or equivalent.
2. The course comprises modules to the value
of 48 credit points.

Diploma in Arts (English) Master of Arts (English)

1. Entry into the HED in English requires no
previous tertiary qualification.
2. The course comprises modules to the
value of 48 credit points; a total of 8 subjects
of one year’s full time or equivalent study.
Associate Degree in Arts (English)
3. Entry into the AD in English requires no
previous tertiary qualification.
1. Applicants for this course are required to
hold a tertiary level qualification at bachelor
level or equivalent. All applicants must
also submit a portfolio of their writing for
assessment.
2. The course comprises modules to the value
of 48 credit points, a 40,000 word thesis and an
8000 word exegesis, together worth 48 points.
All students may submit applications for
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). This must
be done at time of application.

4. The course comprises modules to the value

of 96 credit points; a total of 16 subjects of two
years’ full time or equivalent study.

Graduate Certificate (English)

1. Applicants for this course are required to

hold a tertiary level qualification at bachelor
level or equivalent.
2. The course comprises modules to the value
of 24 credit points.
Bachelor of Arts (English)

All students completing the BA must complete Master of Arts (English)

a set of core subjects (see Humanities brochure)
plus at least one major and one minor. An
English major consists of one (1) core English
subject plus seven (7) English electives.*
Graduate Certificate in English.
All students must complete one (1) required
core subject + three (3) additional English
electives.
Graduate Diploma (English) .
All students must complete one (1) required
core subject in English + seven (7) additional
English electives.*
*Students may choose up to two (2) subjects
from either Creative Writing or TESOL with
permission of the course co-ordinator, and
apply these to an English major.
Masters of Arts students must normally
complete the equivalent of a Graduate Diploma
in English, that is, a one year course work
component. Students with undergraduate
work in English and/or significant English
experience (including publication) can apply
for RPL for up to four (4) subjects, reducing
the coursework component of the MA to
a minimum of four (4) additional subjects.
Once the coursework component has been
completed the MA candidate develops a
English manuscript (usually a short novel) of
40,000 words (worth 48 credit points), under
the supervision of a primary and a secondary
supervisor. The candidate will also produce
an 8000 word exegesis which documents the
research and reflects on the process of writing
the major manuscript.

Required core English subject

Literature and Christian Faith

Elective subjects include:

Selected Themes in Australian Literature
Modern Novel
Fantasy Literature and the Christian Tradition
Literature and Christian Faith
Classical Literature
Literature and History of the Medieval &
Renaissance Period
The Icelandic Sagas
Reading and Writing Science Fiction
Shakespeare as Literature
Australia’s Indigenous people in Literature
and Film
SUBJECT
DESCRIPTORS

HU3210 MODERN NOVEL

This subject provides a study of a range of litera¬ture, selected for cultural significance or
literary merit. It celebrates artistry and gives a perspective on genre, period and context. Topics
include: Cultural and literary characteristics of contemporary prose fiction; the novel as a literary
genre; study of selected novels and themes, such as modernism, post-colonialism, gender and
postmodernism; and Christian perspectives on fiction.

HU3310 LITERATURE AND CHRISTIAN FAITH

This subject examines English literature in the light of the Christian faith, adopting an historical
perspective, ranging from Middle English to modern literature, and offering a selective analysis
of key literary texts and authors writing within a variety of genres. Important themes that relate
to the Christian faith are identified and discussed. Topics include most or all of the following:
Middle English literature and the Bible; the importance of Christianity to literature; the idea of
pilgrimage; use of typology; translations of the Bible; post-Reformation literature; Shakespeare;
metaphysical poetry; Milton; 18th cen¬tury literature; Roman¬ticism and the shift in religious
ideas in this period and the resulting interest in Platonism and neo-Platonism, pantheism,
dissenting forms of Christianity, and Blake’s attack on conventional Christianity; the importance
of nature; the tendency towards pantheism; critical writings of Coleridge and the idea of the
imagination; Victorian literature and evolution, science, and loss of faith; modernism and the
idea of epiphany, the new conception of self; 20th century religious writing; Beckett; and
contemporary Australian literature.

HU3320 CLASSICAL LITERATURE

This subject provides an in-depth critical study of a selection of classical literature. It examines
the cultural and literary characteristics, genre and historical context of selected works, from the
earliest civilisations through to the close of the Roman period.

HU4120 READING AND WRITING SCIENCE-FICTION

This subject examines the history and development of Science-Fiction literature as a genre from
its origins in the mid 19th century to the present day. It also gives students an opportunity to
learn about writing well in this genre. Though Science-Fiction literature has much of its origins
in overtly atheistic beliefs, it is a genre in which it is common to find strong social commentaries.
For Christian writers wishing to engage with their culture, the Science-Fiction genre allows
meaningful dialogue with an audience prepared to suspend their disbelief for a time in order to
consider new ideas including those of morality and spirituality.
 English
HU3120 SELECTED THEMES IN AUSTRALIAN LITERATURE

This subject provides a study of the development of Australian literary traditions and helps
students to appreciate, enjoy and criticise texts, while developing increasing language
competence and understanding of people. The following themes in Australian literature are
explored: literary reflections on the bush; attitudes to heritage and tradition; indigenous
peoples and ethnic minorities; archetypes, national values and cultural identity; and
interactions with progress and modernity. In particular, consideration is given to: the idea of
a distinctive literary tradition in Australia; the literary treatment of the bush; and attitudes to
hierarchy and authority, and to wealth, success and the ‘good life.’

HU3220 FANTASY LITERATURE AND THE CHRISTIAN TRADITION

This subject surveys modern fantasy literature from its origins in 19th century England to
present day Australian fantasy writers. Particular attention is paid to the dominance of the
Christian writers and Christian themes in early fantasy literature and in its golden era under
Tolkien and Lewis. The Christian response to atheistic and neo-pagan themes in some
streams of contemporary fantasy is also examined.

HU3340 THE ICELANDIC SAGAS

The Icelandic Sagas are among the oldest of all European literature and have not only
been influential on such modern writers as J.R.R. Tolkien, but are also essential for an
understanding of early English literature. In this subject the student will study a selection
of early Norse mythology, family sagas, and the poetic Eddas. The student will also look at
the history of Icelandic settlement, the role of men and women in Norse culture, and other
historic, cultural and mythical backgrounds necessary for a thorough understanding of the
Sagas. This subject will draw upon the nuances of the original Old Icelandic, but no prior
knowledge of Icelandic is required for enrolment.

HU3370 SHAKESPEARE AS LITERATURE

This subject will examine the body of Shakespearian literature including the Sonnets,
the Histories, the Tragedies and the Comedies. The student will become familiar with the
historical and literary context of the writings, the authorship controversies, the Elizabethan
theatre, and the influence of the Shakespearian corpus on English literature.

HUMANITIES ACTIVITIES AND
SPECIAL EVENTS
Publications
The Tabor Humanities faculty encourages
scholarship among its faculty and stu-
dents. Its staff and postgraduate students
are regular contributors to journals and
anthologies in their respective fields. Also,
since 2005 the English programme has
published an annual collection of short
stories and poetry under the title Tales
from the Upper Room. The faculty also
publishes monographs under the Pantae-
nus Press logo. Recent publications include
Dr Brian Trainor’s book Christ, Society and
the State (2010).
Book Launches
With our Humanities faculty committed
to publishing within their respective fields,
we are blessed every year with the oppor-
tunity to hold a number of book launches,
to which students are invited. These are al-
ways enjoyable occasions in which we can
celebrate the appearance of a new book
and meet and mix with guests from other
academic institutions and professional
fields. We recently published and launched
Dr. Brian Trainor’s new book, Christ, Society
and the State.
English
Scholarship and Fellowship
The Humanities faculty is committed to
encouraging interaction and dialogue
among its staff and students. Faculty-
wide activities such as sausage sizzles,
quiz nights, film nights and barbeques are
scheduled once a term. Also, the faculty,
organises a series of Philosophy @ Tabor
discussion evenings, and since 2004 has
sponsored a monthly Writers’ Circle, The
Literati, which is open to all past and pres-
ent students and staff. Both groups meet
in the loft area for pizza, drinks and discus-
sion. Beginning in 2008 the college also
sponsors a second Writers’ Group, Schism,
which focuses on sci-fi and fantasy writing.
Gospel and Culture Series
The Humanities faculty hold annually an
evening lecture series over 3 or 4 weeks in
conjunction with a major cinema or pub-
lishing event that provides an opportunity
to discuss Christian faith in the context of
contemporary culture. Past series have in-
cluded The Matrix trilogy, The Narnia film
and books, and the DaVinci Code. These
well-attended series are open to the public
and are generally held in the chapel.
English
STAFF PROFILES.
Rev Dr Mark Worthing (Deputy
Head of Humanities, Research
Coordinator, Creative Writing
Coordinator)
Mark has a long-standing interest in science
and theology, ethics, English literature and
English. One of his books God, Creation and
Contemporary Physics (Fortress Press, 1996)
won a Templeton prize for best new book
in science and religion. He is also author of
When Choice Matters: An Introduction to
Christian Ethics and The Matrix Revealed:
The Theology of the Matrix Trilogy. Mark is
a published poet and a frequent speaker at
conferences in Australia and overseas.
Dr Joh Wurst (Senior Lecturer in
English)
Joh has a BA (English/History/Politics), B.Th.,
Dip. Ed., and a Ph.D (Hebrew Scriptures/
Religion/Ancient Literature/Literary Theory).
She has a lengthy background in teaching
English at a secondary level, with expertise
in Shakespeare, modern poetry, modern
drama, Australian literature, and classical
literature. She has worked as a freelance
writer and editor; an equity, diversity and
conflict management consultant; and is
currently Senior Lecturer in English at Tabor
Adelaide.
Claire Bell (Associate Lecturer in
English and Creative Writing)
Claire has a BA in Social Sciences from
Flinders University, an MA in English at Tabor,
and tutors in English and English Literature.
She also provides editorial assistance to a
number of Humanities projects. Her bent
towards the psychological is evident in her
short stories and poems which are mostly
written for young adults.
Yr Ham (Senior Lecturer)
Yr has a Diploma in Ministry, a Bachelor
of Theology and a Graduate Certificate in
Christian Studies. She is the Humanities
contact person for External Studies and
an Associate Lecturer in Humanities. Yr
has an MA in Creative Writing and has
published several short stories and poems,
many of which are inspired by her childhood
in Iceland. She is currently doing her PhD
through Adelaide University.
Ben Morton (Associate Lecturer in
Creative Writing)
Ben has a Bachelor of Arts in Drama and
Creative Writing, Certificate IV in both
Multimedia Design and Christian Studies,
along with an Advanced Certificate of
Ministry, and an MA in Creative Writing.
He has had published many poems
and short stories and has worked for
many years as a cartoonist/illustrator.
Ben also has a background in church
youth leadership and creative ministry.
Contact details

Dr Mark Worthing (Deputy Head of Humanities)

(08) 8373 8742
mworthing@adelaide.tabor.edu.au
James Cooper (Humanities Academic Administrator)
(08) 8373 8740
jcooper@adelaide.tabor.edu.au
visit us at: www.adelaide.tabor.edu.au, or
call us on: (08) 8373 8777
(from outside Australia, dial 0011 61 08 83738777),
or complete the following form (overleaf) and post it to :
Tabor Adelaide
Humanities Department
Attn: James Cooper
PO Box 1777
Unley SA 5061

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TABOR ADELAIDE SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES

STACK OF OLD BOOKS