Registry
Module Specifications
Archived Version 2018 - 2019
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Description This module has two sections. The first section of the module familiarises students with the techniques and values of academic research and writing, and explores how these elements can be used in practice. Special attention will be paid to issues of conceptualising and structuring essays and theses, presentation, and scholarly values. The second section of this module introduces theoretical and critical approaches to the study of children’s and young adult literature. It introduces students to a broad theoretical framework, and select works of criticism, against which they are encouraged to engage in close readings of literary texts representing major forms and genres in the discipline. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Learning Outcomes 1. Contextualise their readings of literary texts in light of a broad theoretical framework 2. Situate their readings of literary texts within a wider critical discourse 3. Identify the major forms and genres of children’s and young adult literature 4. Use a specialised, technical vocabulary when discussing children’s and young adult literature 5. Communicate their viewpoints effectively, through oral and written language, but especially in light of established linguistic, literary, scholarly and/or cultural conventions 6. Understand what is involved in researching effectively and producing written work that meets the requirements for a Master’s degree. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Indicative Content and
Learning Activities Introduction: What is Research?Conducting ResearchResearch Sources, Terminology, Using TheoryReferencingChildren’s Literature: An IntroductionAn overview of the concerns of contemporary scholarship in the discipline.Structuralism and NarratologyGeneral Theory: de Saussure, Ferdinand. ‘Course in General Linguistics’, in Rivkin, Julie and Ryan, Michael, eds. Literary Theory: An Anthology. 2nd edn. Oxford: Blackwell, 2004, pp. 59–71; Children’s Literature Approach: Stephens, John. ‘Narratology’, in Rudd, David. The Routledge Companion to Children’s Literature. New York and London: Routledge, 2010; Suggested Children’s Text: Ahlberg, Janet and Allan, The Jolly Postman, Or Other People’s Letters (1986).Post-Structuralism and Reader-Response CriticismGeneral Theory: Fish, Stanley. ‘Intepreting the Variorum’ (1976), in Rivkin, Julie and Ryan, Michael, eds., pp. 217–221; Children’s Literature Approach: Wall, Barbara. ‘Problems of Audience’, in Hunt, Peter, ed. Children’s Literature, Critical Concepts in Literary and Cultural Studies, Vol I, pp. 375-389; Suggested Children’s Text: Haddon, Mark. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-TIme (2003).Gender and PsychoanalysisGeneral Theory: Butler, Judith. ‘Performative Acts and Gender Construction’ (1988), extract in Rivkin, Julie and Ryan, Michael, eds., pp. 900-911; Children’s Literature Approach: Mallan, Kerry. Gender Dilemmas in Children’s Fiction. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, 2009; Suggested Children’s Text: Artell, Mike and Harris, J. Petite Rouge (2001). General Theory: Lacan, Jacques. ‘The Mirror Stage as Formative of the Function of the I’, in Rivkin, Julie and Ryan, Michael, eds., pp. 441–446; Children’s Literature Approach: McCallum, Robyn. Ideologies of Identity in Adolescent Fiction; The Dialogic Construction of Subjectivity (‘Introduction’); Suggested Children’s Text: Rowling, J. K. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (1998).Colonialism and PostcolonialismGeneral Theory: Said, Edward. Orientalism (1978), in Rivkin, Julie and Ryan, M., eds., pp. 873-886; Children’s Literature Approach: Bradford, Clare. ‘Race, Ethnicity, and Colonialism’ in Rudd, David. The Routledge Companion to Children’s Literature; Suggested Children’s Text: Hodgson Burnett, Frances. A Little Princess (1990).Moderism and PostmodernismGeneral Theory: Lyotard, Jean-François. The Postmodern Condition (1979), in Rivkin, Julie and Ryan, Michael; Children’s Literature Approach: Lewis, David. Reading Contemporary Picturebooks: Picturing Text. New York and London: Routledge, 2001; Suggested Children’s Text: Macaulay, David. Black and White (1990 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Indicative Reading List
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Other Resources None | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Programme or List of Programmes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Archives: |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||