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Children's Literature (ENLT 1161)
Total Credits:
3
Lecture Credits:
3
Description:
This course introduces you to the wide range of children's literature, with a focus on books by writers from historically marginalized communities (BIPOC, queer, trans, women writers, etc.). You will study the genres and history of children's literature, the critical responses to it, the effects of widening the scope of voices in KidLit, and the reasons for valuing this unique form. The course addresses the interests of college students, educators and parents.
Topical Outline:
1. History and Criticism of children's literature and how the genre has been shaped by oppressive systems like racism, sexism, homophobia, ableism, etc., and resistance to these oppressions
2. Diversity in this art form: Culture, race, sexual orientation, and other aspects of identity
3. The interplay of text and illustration
4. Genres of children's literature; for example, realistic and historical, poetry, multicultural, biography, and fantasy
5. Elements of children's literature: theme, character, plot, setting, point of view and style
Learning Outcomes:
1. Reading, discussing and critically interpreting a variety of children's literature, with a focus on books by writers from historically marginalized communities (BIPOC, queer, trans, women writers, etc.), and interrogating the publishing and education systems that have de-centered them for so long.
2. Understanding children's literature, its history and genres and how these works reflect the values of the people and times in which they were written, including contemporary work that may push genre and content boundaries by centering voices from historically marginalized communities and challenge unequal power structures.
3. Applying a critical approach to analyze, interpret and evaluate selected work of children's literature
4. Presenting thoughtful personal responses to children's literature using literary terminology such as character, plot, setting, theme, style, point of view, symbol and metaphor
Prerequisites:
ENGL 1110 or
ENGA 1110
MnTC:
- Goal 6: The Humanities and Fine Arts
- Goal 7A: Human Diversity | Goal 7B: Race, Power, and Justice