Tuesday, June 03, 2008
U300: Children’s Literature
The latest news on the Open University’s new Children’s Literature course:
“The course U300 - Children’s Literature - will have an annual presentation from October – June, starting October 2009. Regarding content, the teaching will, as with other literature courses, revolve around the set texts, but as they will by their nature be shorter, there will be a greater emphasis on how these texts illustrate themes and issues in children’s literature, rather than just on analysis of the books. There are two blocks of work (out of 6) on poetry, storytelling and performance (one block) and picture books (one block), which would differ from adult literature courses. Our standard short description is as follows:
“Why has children’s literature been so influential in children’s and adults’ lives? How is it changing in today’s globalised, media-conscious world? This new course introduces major themes, issues and debates in the field and provides in-depth case-studies of key examples of literature for children, from both contemporary and classical sources. Students will study a range of fiction, poetry and creative performance produced for children from the 18th century to the present. Course study involves a combination of reading, reflecting and writing on children’s literature and on associated images and illustrations, audiovisual theoretical and critical material in print and online. Students will also have the opportunity to carry out a longer piece of individual work.
“The longer piece of work referred to is the End of Course Assessment (ECA), which will be a 4000-word essay involving some independent research. This will be in place of an exam.”
Colour me very tempted!
And if I could write my ECA on Northern Lights? That would be perfect! Not so much studying as pure indulgence:)
Update: the course code has now been changed to EA300.
Posted in: Open University •
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