L390 9968 CHILDREN'S LITERATURE
Andrew Miller

Lecture:
9968 1:25p-2:15p MW (143 students) 3 cr., A&H.
Discussion:
9969 1:25p-2:15p W (25 students)
9970 12:20p-1:10p W (25 students)
14739 11:15a-12:05p W (25 students)
14740 1:25p-2:15p W (25 students)
14741 12:20p-1:10p W (25 students)
14742 11:15a-12:05p W (25 students)

Children’s literature is easily (and often) dismissed as lacking in intellectual content—as if adults, in their greater experience and knowledge, already have learned whatever this literature has to tell us. This course begins with the contrary assumption that children’s literature poses some of the most fundamental (and pressing) questions that adults as well as children have to consider. Among those questions, we will be focusing on several that concern our understanding of the human past. Why should children’s literature so often take, as a guiding mission, the representation of history? How is that history packaged in this literature, and to what ends? While studying a range of themes in children’s literature, L390 this semester will concentrate on questions like these. We’re likely to read (or view) some of the following texts: Indian in Cupboard; The Giver; Ivanhoe; Knights Castle; Birchbark House; Slave Ship to Freedom Road; Toy Story I and II. Students will write two papers and take two exams.