Monash University Handbook 2010 Undergraduate - Unit

Synopsis

The unit focuses upon the historical development of fairy and nursery tales for both adults and children. Students will learn theoretical approaches through which to examine the development of fairy tales, nursery rhymes and other supernatural and fantasy narratives, from oral origins to the Romantics to the postmodern. Key issues studied will be cultural production, gender and historicism. There will be an opportunity for students to consider the genre in their own creative writing.

Objectives

Students successfully completing this unit will have attained

1. An understanding of the historical background of fairy and nursery tales
2. A critical understanding of the implications of oral and literary storytelling traditions
3. A critical understanding of the major thematic paradigms of fairy and nursery tales
4. An understanding of how the romantic tradition is constructed and defined and of its relationship to more contemporary fairy and nursery tales
5. The ability to analyse fairy and nursery tales through cultural, ideological and historical frameworks
6. An enhanced capacity to meet the general learning objectives of the School

Assessment

Essays/creative exercises: 80% (3750 words)
Test: 20%

Chief examiner(s)

Rebecca-Anne Do Rozario

Contact hours

One 2-hour seminar per week for 11 weeks

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

English

Prerequisites

First year sequence in English

Prohibitions

ENH3360