INTERSESSION, 1985
    INSTRUCTOR: Lissa Paul
    Mondays and Wednesdays,
    1:00 - 4:50
    LOCATION: MPX 8651/52
    EDUCATION 465-4 ?
    Q-IILDREN'S LITERATURE
    OBJECTIVES
    This course cntres on what children's literature is and on
    how to talk about it: that is, on children's literature as
    literature--how to explore it and how to share it.
    OUTLINE OF TOPICS
    The emphasis is on reading a wide variety of primary
    material, a lot of stories. Literary, psychologocial,
    historical and, sociological contexts will frame the texts and
    provide backgrounds for talking about stories with-children.
    The aim is to make reading an organic experience--to connect
    literature with life.
    The course proceeds both chronologically and
    cross-culturally. Discussions are on genre, structure and
    literary conventions. These are skills that make naive readers
    into experienced readers.
    This is a course about sharing children's literature, about
    understanding that it is not just a subject to be taught, but
    something much closer to an exploration of what it is to be
    human.
    TYPICAL REQUIREMENTS
    The reading of a wide range of children's literature.
    Selected literary and psychological critical material is also
    to be read.
    The first few classes will be run as participatory lectures.
    But as the course progresses we will shift increasinginly to
    seminars and discussion groups.
    At the end of most classes a short assignment will be handed
    out to be completed for the following class (they provide
    practical applications to the class discussions). They are
    "hands-on" assignments, designed to put theory into practice.
    Six of these assignments are to be written up as short papers
    (each about two pages long).
    One major seminar will be required. This is an oral
    presentation of a project you have worked on involving children
    and stories.
    One major paper (10-12 pages) is due at the end of the
    course.
    Grade breakdown:
    6 written assignments (2 pages each)
    ?
    25%
    Oral presentation ?
    25%
    Major paper (10-12 pages) ?
    50%
    REQUIRED READING FOR THE FIRST CLASS:
    Neil Postman The Disappearance of Childhood.
    Eugene lonesco Story Number 1.

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