Jane Austen Society of Australia: Study Guide

Board of Studies’ syllabus

The Board of Studies is the NSW government organisation which defines what is officially required of students for this topic.

Stage 6 Syllabus - English

Syllabus requirements as defined by the Board for this topic refer to comparisons of the Austen work Emma and the movie Clueless, and are as follows:

Module A: Comparative Study of Texts and Context

This module requires students to compare texts in order to explore them in relation to their contexts. It develops students’ understanding of the effects of context and questions of value.

Students examine ways in which social, cultural and historical context influences aspects of texts, or the ways in which changes in context lead to changed values being reflected in texts. This includes study and use of the language of texts, consideration of purposes and audiences, and analysis of the content, values and attitudes conveyed through a range of readings.

Students develop a range of imaginative, interpretive and analytical compositions that relate to the study of their specific text. These are to be realised in a variety of forms and media.

From Stage 6 Syllabus English © Board of Studies NSW. 1999 p51

One way of comparing texts is to examine different versions of the same story in different times. The HSC elective calls this process ‘transformation’

Elective 1: Transformations

Transformations of texts have occurred for centuries as stories have been adapted to contemporary situations. The inspiration of the known reflects upon the new, while the new resonates with the known. This process provides the basis of study in this elective.

Students choose a pair of texts and consider the ways in which transformations generate reflections on the texts, contexts and the ways in which texts can be transformed.

From Prescriptions: Area of Study Electives and Texts
Higher School Certificate 2001 and 2003, p18
© Board of Studies NSW 1999

Reproduced by kind permission of the Board of Studies NSW. For further information, contact the Board of Studies.