ENG6772 - The Child and The Book

Objectives:

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
demonstrate knowledge of a range of literature for and about children
apply, in analysis of texts, an understanding of the changing conceptualisation of children and childhood across differing historical, political and socio-cultural contexts
demonstrate an understanding of the changing relations between children and books, considered in both a historical and a developmental perspective
demonstrate an understanding of key critical debates, addressing literature for and about children

Content:

Students will make a close study of a historical range of literature (including oral traditions) which is either for children or in which the representation of children is a major element. They will consider texts in which fictions of the self represent growth and development as a consequence of overcoming situational constraints, and they will also consider ways in which disability has played a significant part in children’s literature. Students will be encouraged to examine works in relation to literary developments (eg. Romanticism, realism) and to socio-cultural and political debates (eg. education, disability). Students will be encouraged to examine the arts that bring books within the circle of a child’s awareness, in both literary form and illustration.

Learning and Teaching Information:

Learning and teaching methods will combine workshops and discussion seminars with directed reading and writing, supported by materials in class handouts and on Moodle. Independent learning will be a key element fostered through directed research tasks and project work consisting of the investigation of student-identified topics.

Seminars
Contact hours: 24
Intended Group size: 25

Guided independent study
Hours: 176

Further details relating to assessment
The content of the module is topic-based and students must choose one of the topics to focus on for their individual presentation. They can then choose to extend their exploration of this topic in preparation for the final essay or explore a different topic in order to devise their own essay question in consultation with the tutor.

Other relevant matters
Students prepare for the assessed presentation throughout the first part of the module through regular informal presentations which provide the opportunity for peer and tutor feedback, as well as reflective practice. Regular research tasks are set which require the students to engage with a range of topics, allowing them to gain an overview of the critical landscape that enables them to identify an issue of debate to focus on in their final essay.

Assessment: