Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2017 - ENGL 387 D100

Studies in Children's Literature (4)

Class Number: 4075

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 5 – Dec 4, 2017: Mon, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Dec 15, 2017
    Fri, 12:00–3:00 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    Two 100 division English courses, and two 200 division English courses.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

The study of selected works of children's literature from different periods and places. The works will be considered in relation to literary theory, and may be organized by different critical issues or approaches. Students with credit for ENGL 367 may not take this course for further credit.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course gives students a survey of the literature which adults have written for children in English. We will sample a variety of genres for different target audiences, using a focus on the ideology of childhood (“What is a child?”) and power dynamics in relationships between children and adults (“What are children capable of? How much protection do they need?”). We will be beginning with some selections from pre-twentieth-century literature available in Canvas, then reading a range of texts from the past hundred years.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

1/ to introduce students to a range of genres and issues in the field,
2/ to develop some ideas about the ideological underpinnings and purposes of children’s literature, and
3/ to give students the opportunity to adapt course work to their own needs and learning styles.

Grading

  • Possible Evaluation Agreement Elements 100%

NOTES:

Students in this class will individually select what kinds of work they wish to do, when they will hand it in, and how much each element will be worth (within certain restrictions and guidelines). Students will choose from among the components listed below. Each student must include at least one essay and at least one of the exam or a reading journal. There will be a detailed explanation of the evaluation system in the first class; this will also be available in Canvas.

REQUIREMENTS:

Possible Evaluation Agreement Elements:
* final exam, 20-45%
* reading journal, 20-45%
* participation, 10-25%
* research essay, 25-45%
* non-research essay, 20-40%
* creative project (either creative writing or in some other medium), 15-30%
* survey project (reading to a group of children and analysing their responses), 15-30%
* annotated bibliography on a children's author, 15-30%
* short seminar, 10-25%
* lesson plans for a course text, 10-25%
* storytelling (reading to the class and leading discussion), 5-10%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Peter Pan, J.M. Barrie
ISBN: 978-1551117935

The Saturdays, Elizabeth Enright
ISBN: 978-0312375980

From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, E.L. Konigsburg
ISBN: 978-0689711817

Ender’s Game, Orson Scott Card
ISBN: 978-0812550702

Coraline, Neil Gaiman
ISBN: 978-0380807345

Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, Ransome Riggs
ISBN: 978-1594746031

Jacob Two-Two Meets the Hooded Fang, Mordecai Richler
ISBN: 978-0887769252

Department Undergraduate Notes:

IMPORTANT NOTE Re 300 and 400 level courses: 75% of spaces in 300 level English courses, and 100% of spaces in 400 level English courses, are reserved for declared English Major, Minor, Extended Minor, Joint Major, and Honours students only, until open enrollment begins.

For all On-Campus Courses, please note the following:
- To receive credit for the course, students must complete all requirements.
- Tutorials/Seminars WILL be held the first week of classes.
- When choosing your schedule, remember to check "Show lab/tutorial sections" to see all Lecture/Seminar/Tutorial times required.

Registrar Notes:

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://students.sfu.ca/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS