<< >> ^

ENH2991/3991

Children's literature: a comparative study

H Scutter

8 points
* 2 hours per week
* First semester
* Caulfield and Clayton

Objectives On the successful completion of this subject students should have gained familiarity with a range of genres of contemporary children's books; an understanding of the cultural constructedness of the child reader and of childhood; and a grasp of the relevant theoretical approaches.

Synopsis A study of contemporary literature for children by major Australian, American and British writers. The subject explores a range of modes, including humour, fantasy, picture story books, realistic and historical novels. Specific issues examined include the construction of national identity, cultural variations in thematic and formal emphasis, changing notions of childhood and the child figure, and the notion of the implied child/adolescent reader. Students will be encouraged to consider the ideological implications of the adult interests vested in the production of texts for children.

Assessment second year Seminar presentation (1500 words) and participation: 30%
* Long essay (2500 words): 40%
* Class test (2000 words): 30%

Assessment third year Seminar presentation (1500 words) and participation: 20%
* Short essay (1500 words): 30%
* Long essay (3000 words): 50%
* Third-year students will be required to answer different essay topics and demonstrate wider reading, a deeper understanding of theoretical approaches and greater skills of analysis.

Prescribed texts

Babbit N Tuck everlasting Farrar Strauss Giroux

Bawden N Carrie's war Puffin

Burningham J Come away from the water, Shirley Harper Collins

Cormier R The chocolate war Collins

Heide F P The shrinking of Treehorn Puffin

Klein R Hating Alison Ashley Puffin

Mahy M The catalogue of the universe Magnet

Mark J Handles Puffin

Park R Playing Beatie Bow Puffin

Paterson K Bridge to Terabithia Puffin

Pearce P Tom's midnight garden Puffin

Rubinstein G Beyond the labyrinth Omnibus

Sendak M Where the wild things are Harper/Collins

Wagner J The bunyip of Berkeley's Creek Puffin

Walsh J P A parcel of patterns Puffin

Westall R The machine-gunners Puffin

Wheatley N The blooding Puffin

Wilder L I Little house on the prairie Puffin

Recommended texts

Hunt P Criticism, theory and children's literature Blackwell

Niall B Australia through the looking glass MUP

Stephens J Language and ideology in children's fiction Longman


<< >> ^
Handbook Contents | Faculty Handbooks | Monash University
Published by Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3168
Copyright © Monash University 1996 - All Rights Reserved - Caution
Authorised by the Academic Registrar December 1996