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An introduction to the changing representations of the child and childhood in children's literature form the late 18th century to the present.
Children’s “literature” has been around as long as cultures themselves, passed on orally, remembered and retold over generations. Since the advent of printing, these narratives became more formalised. They entered into literature. In this course, we will examine the way literary texts for children talk about childhood; how they view the purpose of books for juveniles; and how they have adapted conventional literary themes and genres (such as the historical novel; the social realist critique; fantasy; the morally improving tale; and the school story), for a youthful readership. There is a wealth of writing for children throughout the world, but in this course we will read material from Britain especially. The idea of the child and the experience of childhood from the late eighteenth century to the present will be our focus, and we will be looking at how changing representations of the child in children’s literature can be linked to cultural context. In ENGL115 you will be introduced to some cultural history and theory, as well as reading “real” literature. This will help to give your reading of the primary fiction a solid grounding in the wider and constantly changing social context. In addition, you will be expected to become familiar with ways of reading texts, and to develop your skills as an informed and critical writer.This course can be used towards an English major or minor. BA students who major in English would normally take at least two 100-level 15 point ENGL courses (which must include at least one of the following: ENGL117, ENGL102 or ENGL103), at least three 200-level 15 point ENGL courses, and at least two 300-level 30 point ENGL courses. Please see the BA regulations or a student advisor for more information.
This course aims to:offer an approach to the study of children’s literature that is both historical and thematic;demonstrate how changing cultural context is reflected in the following: the development of niche markets, the gendering and commodification of the child, strategies of representation, the growth of cultural difference and complexity;to introduce a range of theories to the reading of texts;to promote the skills of critical reading and interpretation.
ENGL212, GEND105
Anna Smith
Burgess, Melvin; Junk ;
Burnett, Frances Hodgson; The Secret Garden ;
Carroll, Lewis; Alice in Wonderland ;
Hallett, Martin and Barbara Karasek, eds; Folk and Fairy Tales ;
Norton, Mary; The Borrowers ;
Ransome, Arthur; Swallows and Amazons ;
Rowling, J. K; Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone ;
Stevenson, R. L; Treasure Island ;
A Course Reader will supplement the 19th century section of the course: available for download on Learn.(Image: "Little Red Riding Hood and the Wolf" (an adaptation of an illustration by Gustave Doré) by sammydavisdog, licensed under CC BY 2.0.)
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Domestic fee $732.00
International fee $2,975.00
* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.
For further information see Humanities .