Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2024 - EDUC 465 D100

Children's Literature (4)

Class Number: 6567

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 8 – Apr 12, 2024: Fri, 8:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Vancouver

  • Prerequisites:

    60 units.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Historical, sociological and literary perspectives on literature for children.

COURSE DETAILS:

In this upper division seminar, students apply a range of theoretical perspectives to children’s literature, including early readers, middle-grade novels, picturebooks, and film.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

  • Read and analyze picture books, novels, films, and comics as literature with its own critical tradition
  • Review various types and genres of children’s literature, from picture books to middle-grade novels to graphic novels to animated shorts.
  • Identify the unique characteristics of children’s literature as cultural artifacts, including its history and development
  • Understand the social and political uses of "childhood" and children's literature 

Grading

  • Engagement/Preparation 10%
  • Quizzes 20%
  • Something you Should Know Presentation 10%
  • Daily Assignments 30%
  • Midterm Assessment 15%
  • Final Assessment 15%

NOTES:

The course includes a heavy weekly reading load, weekly academic writing assignments (2-5 pages), small & whole-group  discussion, a presentation, midterm, and final reflection. There will be an in-class quiz the first day. This quiz cannot be made up.

Other texts will be required. Students should be prepared for 1-2 hours a week at a library researching children's books.

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

Laptop and Wifi enabled device needed for midterm/final reflection

REQUIRED READING:

Bang, M. (2016). Picture This: How pictures work. Revised and expanded 25th anniversary edition. Chronicle books. 
*Buy or check out before the beginning of class. 
ISBN: 978-1452151991

Klassen, J. (2011). I want my hat back.
*Buy or check out before the beginning of class. 
ISBN: 978-0763655983 

Lam, T. (2020). The paper boat. Owl Kids.
*Buy or check out from the library before class begins. 
ISBN: 978-1771473637

Wang, J. (2019). Stargazing.
*Buy or check out before the beginning of class. 
ISBN: 9781250183880

Wiesner, D. (2001). The three pigs. Clarion Books.
*Buy or check out from the library before class begins. 
ISBN: 978-0618007011

Gaiman, N. (2002). Coraline. Any edition. 
*Please buy or check out from the library before class begins. 

Gidwitz, A. (2011). A tale dark and Grimm. Puffin Books.
*Check out of buy before the beginning of class. 
ISBN: 978-0142419670

Richardson, R. and Parnell, P. (2015). And Tango Makes Three. Little Simon. 
*Please buy or check out a copy from the library before class.
ISBN: 978-1481449946

RECOMMENDED READING:

Other texts will be required. Students should be prepared for 1-2 hours a week at a library researching children's books.

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website http://www.sfu.ca/students/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