ENGH 316: Topics in Myth and Literature

ENGH 316-C01: Changelings and Fairies
(Summer 2022)

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Section Information for Summer 2022

ENGH 316 - C01: Changelings and Fairies

English 316 offers a literary exploration of fairies and changelings in contemporary fantasy and young adult literature. The changeling is typically the offspring of a fairy, troll, goblin or other folkloric creature who has been secretly left in the place of a human child, but changelings can also be an infant image of ice or enchanted piece of wood that eventually becomes ill and dies. Changeling stories often reflect concerns about difference (physical, social, economic and gendered), disability and vulnerability.

We will study a variety of contemporary literary texts that explore the role of changelings and fairies, paying particular attention to the ways authors fictionalize fairy legends and the folklore of changelings. We will read about medieval changelings (The Moorchild by Eloise McGraw), changelings in contemporary settings (The Stolen Child by Keith Donohue) and even adult changelings (The Burning of Bridget Cleary by Angela Bourke and Some Kind of Fairy Tale by Graham Joyce).

Assignments will include quizzes, 2 short (2-3 pp) papers and one longer (8-10 pp) paper.

ENGH 316 C01 is a distance education section.

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Course Information from the University Catalog

Credits: 3

Studies how traditional mythologies are reflected in English and American literature and other texts as themes, motifs, and patterns. Notes: May be repeated when topic is different. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 6 credits.
Specialized Designation: Topic Varies
Recommended Prerequisite: Satisfaction of University requirements in 100-level English and in Mason Core literature.
Schedule Type: Lec/Sem #1, Lec/Sem #2, Lec/Sem #3, Lec/Sem #4, Lec/Sem #5, Lec/Sem #6, Lec/Sem #7, Lec/Sem #8, Lec/Sem #9, Lecture, Sem/Lec #10, Sem/Lec #11, Sem/Lec #12, Sem/Lec #13, Sem/Lec #14, Sem/Lec #15, Sem/Lec #16, Sem/Lec #17, Sem/Lec #18
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

The University Catalog is the authoritative source for information on courses. The Schedule of Classes is the authoritative source for information on classes scheduled for this semester. See the Schedule for the most up-to-date information and see Patriot web to register for classes.