Mastering Children's Literature: A Critical Analysis Course
What you will learn:
- Identify and analyze key literary elements in children's literature
- Understand the impact of social and cultural contexts on storytelling
- Apply literary criticism frameworks to classic and contemporary children's stories
- Categorize character archetypes and villain types
- Analyze narrative structures in popular children's films and books
- Interpret symbolism and recurring themes in children's literature
- Develop your own critical perspectives and theories
- Utilize provided lesson plans for effective classroom implementation
Description
Dive into the captivating world of children's literature with our comprehensive online course. Led by an award-winning educator, this course goes beyond simple reading, equipping you with the tools to critically analyze narratives from a literary perspective.
Explore fundamental literary concepts such as character development, plot structure, symbolism, and the impact of social and cultural contexts within children's stories. Uncover hidden depths in beloved classics and contemporary works, delving into themes of class, gender, trauma, and Orientalism.
This course is ideal for teachers, students, librarians, avid readers, and anyone passionate about storytelling. We'll examine iconic works like To Kill a Mockingbird, Persepolis, and How to Train Your Dragon, comparing narrative structures and identifying common story points. You'll learn to categorize different villains (like Voldemort and Doctor Octopus), recognize recurring character archetypes (the failed adult, the magic negro, etc.), and understand the social commentary woven into seemingly simple narratives (Finding Nemo vs. The Incredibles, Star Wars and Vietnam, The Lion King's social Darwinism).
Beyond the fundamentals, we'll explore cutting-edge scholarship, featuring interviews with rising scholars on topics such as motherhood in Pixar films and the echoes of war in Harry Potter. This course challenges you to go beyond passive consumption, encouraging you to formulate your own critical perspectives and theories. Practical lesson plans are included to help educators translate these insights into engaging classroom activities.
Enroll now and transform your understanding of children's literature!