Images of Youth: Twentieth Century Children's and Young Adult Literature

What is children's literature? Who does it speak to, and what images of childhood (and adulthood) does it portray?

This course explores historical and ideological attitudes toward young people through a critical and theoretical examination of children's and young adult literature of the twentieth century. Beginning with Kenneth Grahame's The Wind in the Willows, students will encounter classic children's fantasy, popular series fiction and contemporary teenage literature as well as picture books and poetry. Authors likely to be included on the reading list are CS Lewis, Enid Blyton, Melvin Burgess and JK Rowling. The course will be shaped by theoretical debate on 'the child as reader' and students will be asked to consider how far that figure can be known through children's literature. Topics for discussion will include the idealization of childhood, didacticism and the adult voice, populist fiction, young adult/crossover markets and censorship and taboo.

The course includes a study trip to The Museum of Childhood in London.

Subject areas: English.
Check with your home institution for specific information on fulfilment of major/course requirements.