Welcome!This course is a survey of the history, sociological import, and various forms of children’s literature within the larger canon of English literature. We will look at the underlying tensions between meaning and method, the historical background, and the rhetorical techniques unique to the genre. Along the way we will touch on larger topics such as critical approaches to children’s stories, the history of childhood as a concept, and perspectives on child rearing and education.
Course IntroductionWhat is Children's Literature?The History of Children's LiteratureAn introductory lecture tracing the roots of children's literature from the oral tradition through the "Golden Age."
The Songs of Infancy: Nursery Rhymes
The Stories of Childhood: Picture Books
Online Resources:
Curious George The Velveteen Rabbit "Winnie the Pooh and Piglet Nearly Catch a Woozle" Video: Disney "Tortoise and Hare" (1934) Video: "Peter Rabbit" Trailer Video: "The Secret Life of Pets" Snowball Highlights Due to the presence of copyright materials it was not possible to upload the Video Lecture for this Unit to YouTube. Please let me know if you are unable to access the video lecture through the LMS class portal.
Origins: Folk and Fairy Tales"Cinderella"
Cinderella Across Cultures
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Adventure Stories: "White Fang" by Jack London
Magical Realism: Beasts of the Southern Wild
Midterm Exam Instructions
Google Form: "Children's Literature Midterm Exam
Sample Essay: AdvCompS20 - Lee Dae Ho - 8675309 - Midterm Exam Essay
Sample Essay: AdvCompS20 - Lee Dae Ho - 8675309 - Midterm Exam Essay
The Birth of Fantasy: Alice in Wonderland
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Fantasy and Science Fiction: Coming Soon
Historical Fiction: Coming Soon
Literature for Young Adults
Archetype and Stereotype: "Zootopia"
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New Directions in Children's Literature
Final Exam Instructions
Course Documents
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Primary Texts
The texts for the class will be distributed by the instructor. There is no need to purchase these expensive books. I merely display them here for your information.
Zipes, Jack, et al. The Norton Anthology of Children's Literature: The Traditions in English. New York: Norton, 2005.
Horning, Kathleen T. From Cover to Cover: Evaluating and Reviewing Children's Books. New York: Harper-Collins, 1997.
Lukens, Rebecca J. et al. A Critical Handbook of Children's Literature. Ninth Edition. London: Little, Brown, 2012.