[English] Study Design and Expected Qualities

[rdf4 at bigpond.com]

People may remember my discussion on Expected Qualities a while back. Well looking at the current study design I wonder why a key element in the flagship statement: 

‘On completion of this unit the student should be able to analyse, either orally or in writing, how a selected
text constructs meaning, conveys ideas and values, and is open to a range of interpretations.’ (My italics.)

Is not being represented in the Expected qualities at all? Namely, question of students providing a range of interpretations. 

The idea of interpretation being a key element in the course is mentioned again in the skills list: 

• discuss and compare possible interpretations of texts using evidence from the text;


Any thoughts?


(extract from current study design below)


Reading and responding

This area of study focuses on the reading of a range of literary texts to develop critical and supported
responses.
Students examine the structures, features and conventions used by authors of a range of selected texts
to construct meaning. They identify, discuss and analyse these in order to explain how meaning is
constructed through textual elements such as language and images. They also examine the ways in
which the same text is open to different interpretations by different readers; for example, the ways in
which a text can be read differently in a different time, place or culture. They describe and analyse
the way in which social, historical and/or cultural values are embodied in texts, and develop oral and
written responses to a selected text, using appropriate metalanguage. The term ‘selected text’ refers to a
text chosen from the list of prescribed texts in Text List 1 published annually in the VCAA Bulletin.

Outcome 1
On completion of this unit the student should be able to analyse, either orally or in writing, how a selected
text constructs meaning, conveys ideas and values, and is open to a range of interpretations.
To achieve this outcome the student will draw on knowledge and related skills outlined in area of
study 1.
Key knowledge
This knowledge includes
• an understanding of the ideas, characters and themes constructed by the author and presented in
the selected text;
• the structures, features and conventions used by authors to construct meaning in a range of literary
texts;
• methods of analysing complex texts and the social, historical and/or cultural values embodied in
texts;
• the ways in which the same text is open to different interpretations by different readers;
• strategies and techniques for constructing a supported analysis of a text, including a knowledge of
the metalanguage appropriate to the analysis and to the text type;
• key elements of oral language conventions and usage in a range of text types;
• features of spoken texts which successfully engage audiences;
• techniques for managing feedback and leading discussion;
• the conventions of spelling, punctuation and syntax of Standard Australian English.
Key skills
These skills include the ability to
• critically analyse texts and the ways in which authors construct meaning;
• analyse the social, historical and/or cultural values embodied in texts;
• discuss and compare possible interpretations of texts using evidence from the text;
• use appropriate metalanguage to construct a supported analysis of a text;
• plan and revise written work for fluency and coherence;
• apply oral language conventions in a chosen oral text type;
• engage an audience through interested and varied language use;
• respond to audience interest and engagement;
• use the conventions of spelling, punctuation and syntax of Standard Australian English.
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