This course studies the diversity of women s experiences, cultural heritage, racial identification, geographical background, sexual identity, religious practice, and class privilege as they are presented in the fiction, nonfiction, poetry and plays of both western and nonwestern authors. Students should develop an understanding of the history of women s literary traditions and of the significant writers from each period. This study of children s literature surveys the field from traditional origins to modern times. One of the goals is to build critical and analytical skills in approaching children s literature. Open to all students.
Students develop an understanding of problems posed by stereotyping and censorship.
A researched position paper and critical analyses are required. A survey of literature for young children beginning with the oral tradition of story telling and continuing with folklore, folk tales and mythology, poems, plays, as well as the illustrated story books, novels, short stories, and biographies of modern times. Emphasizes books written and illustrated by authors of diverse gender, ethnicity, race, and religion. The course elicits student responses to the literature to develop their analytical and critical thinking skills. See COM 220.