ENGH 452: Critical Study of Children's Literature

ENGH 452-001: Critical Study of Children's Literature
(Fall 2014)

01:30 PM to 02:45 PM MW

Enterprise Hall 275

Section Information for Fall 2014

Children's literature is (usually) about children, but it is not written by children, or even chosen by children in the same way that a book from amazon.com is chosen by you or by me.  In this advanced course in the history and the criticism of children's literature, we will examine the peculiar relationship that this kind of writing has to its implied readers. Thinking historically about the genre will allow us to explore a paradox: we will look at how the child stands for Nature, for the ideal of living free of all social constraints, but we also look at how a society that cares about its values and its future can direct its most intense ideaological fire at its children. We will test the preconceptions about transparency and simplicity that make the critical study of children's literature especially challenging.  We will study examples from the history of children's literature and some ancilliary texts to consider the ways in which authors have exploited the various potentials of the genre--for didacticism, fantasy, escape, and agency, for themselves as well as for their young readers. Our principal focus will be the texts rather than issues surrounding pedagogy. Selected readings range from Puritans such as James Janeway to contemporary writers such a J.K. Rowling, as well as influential works in educational philosophy, such as those Locke and Rousseau.  This course assumes that you have the prerequisites for advanced work; we will discuss theoretical and critical issues to define our standpoints and to examine a variety of approaches.

Tags:

Course Information from the University Catalog

Credits: 3

Examines the history and criticism of children's literature and the strategies used by authors of children's literature to address their audience. Selected readings range from Puritan to contemporary writing for children, as well as influential works in educational philosophy, such as those by Locke and Rousseau. Offered by English. Limited to three attempts.
Recommended Prerequisite: Satisfaction of University requirements in 100-level English and in Mason Core literature.
Schedule Type: Lecture
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.