ENH2135

The Colonial Child: Australian Children's Books 1830-1950 (6 points)

(ARTS)

Leader: Heather Scutter

Offered:
Clayton First semester 2004 (Day)

Synopsis: Unit examines the development of Australian children's literature in the colonial period from 1830 - 1950. Texts are analysed to consider such phenomena as the changing relationship between empire and colony, contradictory representations of Aboriginal people and Aboriginality, emigration propaganda, boy's own adventure narratives, the rise of militarism and nationalism, the emergence of ecoliterature, the influence of educational institutions, and the domestication and feminisation of children's books. Using such theoretical approaches as new historicism, feminism, semiotics and cultural studies, we will consider discourses of childhood, gender and race politics, and aspects of narratology.

Assessment: Essay (2250 words): 50% + Test (2250 words): 50%

Contact Hours: 2 hour seminar per week

Prerequisites: A first year sequence in English, Literary Studies or Cultural Studies or permission

Prohibitions: ENH3135