This module develops critical approaches to children’s literature in English. It is divided into a series of study blocks, each focusing on a key type of children’s literature. From year to year there will be opportunities to study genres such as: fantasy and dystopia for children, children’s horror and historical fiction, child detective stories, comics and graphic novels, and young adult fiction. Set texts in each block both foster comparison across historical periods and raise themes of particular contemporary interest (e.g. sexuality and gender, race, the environment).
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the module students should be able to:
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of some of the main and emerging genres of children’s literature and young adult fiction;
Explore how different types of children’s literature engage with themes of contemporary critical interest (e.g. sexuality and gender, race, the environment);
Reflect critically on the role played by forms and techniques particular to certain types of children’s literature;
Exhibit an understanding of how children’s literature both adapts traditional literary forms and has itself been adapted across a variety of different media.
Assessment
37003-01 : DCL A 1000 Word Essay : Coursework (30%)
37003-03 : DCL B 2000 Word Assignment : Coursework (70%)
Assessment Methods & Exceptions
The assessment for modules 37002 and 37003 is linked.