CHILDREN'S LITERATURE

Description

The module offers students the opportunity to learn about children’s literature across a variety of genres, ages, as well as about its historical development and socio-cultural contexts. The module will require students to engage the critical thinking skills and theoretical knowledge that they have acquired in modules across their first and second years in a new context, enabling them to think deeply about the ways in which children’s literature should be studied with the same rigorous approach that they would apply to texts written for adults. In particular, students will be encouraged to consider how genre, form, gender, race, identity, setting, temporality,. They will also confront their own relationship to texts that they read as children or young adults and consider what components result in effective writing for children which will enable them to engage with complex critical concepts, and develop their own writing both creative and critical. Through participating in group discussions in the lecture-seminars, students will develop a detailed understanding of how to analyse children’s literature and how to write for children. The module will also afford students the opportunity to develop their critical thinking, research, writing, and communication skills in ways that will benefit them on their chosen career path. At the end of the semester students will produce a work of children’s literature alongside a commentary reflecting upon their creative work OR a critical essay that focusses on two works of children’s literature using the theories, concepts and practices studied. Indicative content will include: Introduction Beginnings: Fairytales Beginnings: Classics Early Years: Picturebooks Early Years: Short Stories Intermediate: Historical Fiction Intermediate: Fantasy Young Adult: Dystopia/Speculative Fiction Young Adult: Romance Young Adult: Webcomics and Graphic Novels Revision and Conclusion This module will: allow students to develop a thorough critical understanding of children¿s literature and strengthen their skills in close reading and analysis deepen and expand the ability in students to apply critical thinking skills to their own creative writing or the writing of others enhance students' ability to engage in inclusive discussions about children¿s literature and develop an understanding of the impact these works have on society and respond to current debates develop students' ability to analyse and appraise styles and techniques used in children¿s literature and to apply these insights to their own writing practices or analysis of the writing of others enhance students' ability to undertake independent research as well as to work effectively as part of a group during the lecture-seminars allow students to think across global and cultural thresholds, deepening their understanding of the canon and how this is related to children's literature introduce students to viable career pathways for those interested in children¿s literature including publishing, archival work, and writing for children Attributes Developed 001 Over the course of this module, students will: demonstrate in-depth knowledge and critical understanding of a diverse range of children's literature and related significant historical and socio-cultural contexts KC 002 Have acquired advanced skills in close reading and analysis of children¿s literary texts CPT 003 Have gained the ability to analyse and appraise styles and techniques used in children¿s literature and effectively applied these insight to their own writing practices or analysis of the writing of others KC 004 Demonstrate independent research skills and organisation including using digital tools and materials for researching children's literature PT 005 Develop their ability to effectively communicate complex ideas and arguments concerning the production and study of children's literature in written and oral formats PT