Children's Literature in the English 1-7 Classroom: Literary and Pedagogical Perspectives

The course focuses on critical application of theoretical and practical knowledge of children's literature as a resource for teaching English at the primary and upper primary school level. The course will also cover various literary, cultural, and critical perspectives, using a wide and varied selection of genres. Through working with a wide range of visual and written texts within children's and youth literature, students will develop in-depth knowledge on the roles various theoretical and pedagogical perspectives play in the development and execution of a literature-based English curriculum at the primary and upper primary levels. The course will also provide deeper engagement with a variety of literature-based methodologies.

Knowledge

The student has

• in-depth knowledge of a variety of literary theories and socio-cultural perspectives
• in-depth knowledge of how to adapt teaching to student requirements and needs
• in-depth knowledge of academic processes, including research methods and ethics
• in-depth knowledge of the role of children's literature in a balanced English curriculum

Skills

The student will

• be able to independently apply relevant theories and methods to cultural and literary research and professional development
• be able to critically evaluate and apply relevant cultural, critical and literary theories and methods in English
• be able to select and use various children's and youth literature as educational resources to promote English acquisition at the lower primary and upper primary levels

General competence

The student can

• apply didactic, cultural and literary knowledge and skills to professional challenges, tasks, and projects
• demonstrate extensive mastery of relevant cultural and literary academic language and research methodologies
• communicate issues, analyses, and results related to English-language studies with specialists, colleagues, and others (for example, parents)

The course will include lectures, individual and group assignment work, discussions, and oral presentations. The course may also include guest speakers. All students are expected to contribute actively.