minorChildrens Literature Overview

Childrens Literature aims to acquaint students with a representative sample of literary materials for children and to equip them with the skills to judge those materials. Childrens Literature is a site for the analysis of social and cultural factors in literature, while childrens narrative helps shape the ways in which children conceptualise the world.

How will this complement my program?

Career advancement through disciplinary knowledge, communication skills and analytical experience

Skills in critical thinking, writingand analysis

Develops your awareness of theneeds of different readers

Enriches your understanding ofliterature, society and culture

What is a minor?

A minor is a stream of related courses which consists of 18 units (commonly four courses) to complement your program.

Course name Course code Units Level Study periodChildrens Literature: Books and Readers LANG 1035 4.5 1 (Introductory) 2

Introduction to Australian Childrens Literature LANG 1037 4.5 1 (Introductory) 5

Children's Literature: Writing for Young People LANG 3025 4.5 2 (Intermediate) 2

The Power of Story LANG 2005 4.5 2 (Intermediate) 5

OR OR

Childrens Literature: Picture Books LANG 2015 4.5 2 (Intermediate) 1

Requirements:A minor in Childrens Literature consists of four courses (18 units), two of which must be at Level 1 (Introductory) and either two at Level 2 (Intermediate), or one at Level 2 (Intermediate) and one at Level 3 (Advanced) chosen from the BA (English and Creative Writing) Program.

Note: Childrens Literature is available as a minor option only.

Completing four courses in Children's Literature, two at Level 1 (Introductory) and two at Level 2 (Intermediate),will qualify students with an English minor learning area for Teaching.

For further information regarding the English Learning Area visit: http://w3.unisa.edu.au/eds/p&m_programpage.asp

Some courses may not be offered every year. Please refer to the timetable for further details.CRICOS provider number 00121B

Information correct at time of printing (January 2016)

Childrens Literature: Books and Readers LANG 1035Students will analyse literature for children and adolescents in terms of literary elements, genres and authorial techniques. They will be introduced to theories relating to readers responses to recreational and reflective reading, and the roles of socio-political and cultural backgrounds in the creation and reception of childrens literature.

Introduction to Australian Childrens Literature LANG 1037Students are introduced to pioneering Australian authors/ illustrators and how the national childrens literature has developed to the award-winning and popular literature of today. They examine the genres of humour, fantasy, historical fiction and contemporary realism and are introduced to Aboriginal concerns and the depiction of multicultural society.

Childrens Literature: Writing for Young People LANG 3025Students will explore contemporary fiction and non-fiction for young people and write, workshop and edit manuscript drafts to publishable standard. They will develop practical skills in prose writing for the various audiences within the childrens and young adult age groups and investigate the complex aspects of the Australian publishing sector which affect the creation, publication and reception of writing for young people.

The Power of Story LANG 2005Students will analyse myths, legends, fiction and folk and fairytales from many cultures in order to trace the development of narrative forms and their enduring interest and cultural relevance. They will become familiar with narratological and psychological theories relevant to analysis of the art and techniques of storytelling in oral and text forms, from traditional to contemporary fiction.

Childrens Literature: Picture Books LANG 2015Through close analysis of a large range of picture books, illustrated books and mixed-media texts, students develop knowledge of the way narratives are constructed through visual aspects of design and illustration and through the relationships between pictures and words. The issue of the implied reader of these texts is analysed. The students apply their knowledge to written analysis and production of their own storyboard.

Course descriptions

Further informationContact Details:Dr Sue PageSchool of Communication, International Studies and Languages, Magill CampusTelephone: (08) 8302 4097Email: Sue.Page@unisa.edu.auOrFor a full list of minor options visit the website - http://programs.unisa.edu.au/public/pcms/Home/Majorssubmajorsminorsindex.aspx