European Children’s Literature

Course Code (in greek): ΓΛ0619

ECTS Units: 5

Semester: 6

Professor: Kontaxi Eleni, Tsilimeni Tasoula

Course material

Course description

The course is a basic introductory course on the history, theory and critique of European Literature for Children and Young People. The beginnings, the course and the main stages of the European children’s literature are examined through textual factors that shaped the European Literature for Children and Youth, extra-objective factors (historical, cultural and social context), the main characteristics and the subject matter, the changes of each perceptions of childhood, the recognition and evaluation of ideological orientations and conventions of children’s literature, etc.  We are also concerned with the issue of translations, adaptations, transcriptions and adaptations of children’s literature texts, the criteria for selecting the work to be translated, the role of “imported” translated children’s literature in the formation of Greek.

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of the course, students are expected to:

• to acquaint students with the evolution of literary genres and how these were appropriated by children’s and youth literature.
• be able to recognize the characteristics of artistic currents in texts of children’s and youth literature,
• be able to recognize and evaluate ideological orientations and children’s literature conventions.
• to know the most important works of European children’s classical literature,
• acquire skills in reading, composing and arranging literary genres popular in children’s literature for their creative and pedagogical use within the classroom and the school context.
• the connection of the students of the development of European children’s literature with the evolution of the Greek and the recognition and research of their links.

Assessment

1. Written exams at the end of the semester which include:

• Multiple choice questions
• Short answer questions
• Development questions

2. Study of a book of European children’s or adolescent literature

3. Optional preparation and presentation of oral work (group work)

Teaching methods

Lectures, study of literature, critical analysis of literature, discussion