What is this module about?

This module explores the psycho/social potential and function of children’s literature in the developing life of the child. It will encourage you to interrogate the theoretical premises, concepts and debates appropriate, and appropriated to, the psycho/social function of children’s literature in childhood. You will gain knowledge and understanding of the child’s processes of psycho/social and cognitive engagement with literary texts, and develop a comprehensive knowledge of a range of key picture books and children’s novel as well as fiction produced for young adults.

Topics covered:

The module is divided into five themes:

• The meaning and importance of fairy tales

• The thrill of the frightening

• The real fictions of the unspeakable

• Social issues and identity

• Changing families

Learning outcomes:

• To become familiar with a range of key literary genres, literary structures and formats associated with children's literature
• To become familiar with key theory relating to the psycho/social role children's literature plays in children's development
• To become familiar and critically engaged with a range of discourses, debates and disputes associated with the role, status and influence of children's literature on children's development
• To be able to analyse and discuss the contrasting psycho/social impact children's literature is thought to have on children and young people's psychological development during different stages of childhood
• To develop your research skills through the medium of analysing and critiquing perspectives on the role of children's literature in children's development

Contact time:

The module will consist of 10 x lectures and 10 x seminars to a total of 30 contact hours.

Assessment:

3,000 word essay OR 1 three hour exam

Sample reading list:

Androutsopoulou, A. (2001) “Fiction as an Aid to Therapy: A Narrative and Family Rationale for Practice”, Journal of Family Therapy 23, 3: 278-95.

Batho, R. et al (eds) (1999) War and Peace in Children’s Books, Leuven: University of Brighton

Beck, U. (1992) Risk Society: Towards a New Modernity, London: Sage

Bettelheim, B. (1976) The Uses of Enchantment: The Meaning and Importance of Fairy Tales, New York: Knopt.

Bobby, S. R. Ed. (2009) Fairy Tales Reimagined: Essays on New Retellings. Jefferson: McFarland.

Botelho, M. J. and Ridman M. K. Eds. (2009) Critical Multicultural Analysis of Children’s Literature: Mirrors, Window and Doors. New York: Routledge.

Bradford, C. et.al. Eds. (2008) New World Orders in Contemporary Children’s Literature: Utopian Transformations. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.

Butts, D. (2011) Children’s Literature and Social Change. London: Lutterworth.

Christensen, P. (2002) “Childhood and the Construction of the Vulnerable Body”, in Prout, A. (ed), The Body, Childhood and Society, London: Macmillan.

Christensen, P. and O’Brien, M. (eds) (2003) Children in the City: Home, Neighbourhood and Community. London: Routledge.