Australian Children’s Literature – EDU 21ACL Lecture One - Introduction © La Trobe University, David Beagley 2006

SUBJECT AIMS This subject aims to develop your: Understanding of how Children’s Literature has developed in Australia as distinct from other English language literature. Knowledge of the scope and development of Australian Children's Literature with a specific focus on a range of genres such as Family, Adventure and Fantasy stories. This subject aims to develop your: Understanding of how Children’s Literature has developed in Australia as distinct from other English language literature. Knowledge of the scope and development of Australian Children's Literature with a specific focus on a range of genres such as Family, Adventure and Fantasy stories.

SUBJECT AIMS This subject aims to develop your: Skill in interpreting and responding to Children's Literature. Understanding of appropriate criteria for evaluating different kinds of Children's Literature. Awareness of the language and concepts of literary analysis This subject aims to develop your: Skill in interpreting and responding to Children's Literature. Understanding of appropriate criteria for evaluating different kinds of Children's Literature. Awareness of the language and concepts of literary analysis

SUBJECT AIMS Elements that will arise include: Analysing texts and issues by genre, and consideration of cross- and multiple-genre texts. Some limits: –Focus largely on novels rather than picture books. –Focus on current texts rather than historical overview –Little focus on Indigenous literature (covered in Post- colonial Literature for Children) Elements that will arise include: Analysing texts and issues by genre, and consideration of cross- and multiple-genre texts. Some limits: –Focus largely on novels rather than picture books. –Focus on current texts rather than historical overview –Little focus on Indigenous literature (covered in Post- colonial Literature for Children)

Assessment: All Assessment must be attempted. Essay(Due May 1st)30% Examination40% Tutorial contribution10% Commentaries and reviews20% Late submission of any assessment pieces, without an official extension being granted, will result in the piece being marked down. All Assessment must be attempted. Essay(Due May 1st)30% Examination40% Tutorial contribution10% Commentaries and reviews20% Late submission of any assessment pieces, without an official extension being granted, will result in the piece being marked down.

Online support: Lecture notes and links: E-reserve: (Reserve by Lecturer, Reserve by Unit) Lecture notes and links: E-reserve: (Reserve by Lecturer, Reserve by Unit)

Timeline Week 1: February 27: 1.Introduction to Australian Children’s Literature course 2.Introduction to Australian Children’s Literature concepts Week 1: February 27: 1.Introduction to Australian Children’s Literature course 2.Introduction to Australian Children’s Literature concepts

Timeline Week 2: March 6 Humour Explore different kinds of humour in fiction Just AnnoyingAndy Griffiths Horrendo’s CurseAnna Fienberg Week 2: March 6 Humour Explore different kinds of humour in fiction Just AnnoyingAndy Griffiths Horrendo’s CurseAnna Fienberg

Timeline Week 3: March 13 Family Stories Identify Australian identity in Family Stories, and consider criteria for assessing family stories a) Realism, relationships and crises Tiff and the Trout David Metzenthen The Bamboo FluteGary Disher Week 3: March 13 Family Stories Identify Australian identity in Family Stories, and consider criteria for assessing family stories a) Realism, relationships and crises Tiff and the Trout David Metzenthen The Bamboo FluteGary Disher

Timeline Week 4: March 20 Family Stories Representation of family issues by Australian writers. Balancing the factual and the fictional. b) Realism and history No Guns for Asmir Christobel Mattingley Hitler’s daughterJackie French Week 4: March 20 Family Stories Representation of family issues by Australian writers. Balancing the factual and the fictional. b) Realism and history No Guns for Asmir Christobel Mattingley Hitler’s daughterJackie French

Timeline Week 5: April 3 Family Stories Exploration of social issues affecting families. c) Social issues in family stories DougyJames Moloney NIPS XIRuth Starke Week 5: April 3 Family Stories Exploration of social issues affecting families. c) Social issues in family stories DougyJames Moloney NIPS XIRuth Starke

Timeline Week 6: April 10 Adventure Stories Traditional and contemporary constructions of adventure stories and criteria for assessing adventure stories Deep Water Elaine Forrestal Ash RoadIvan Southall Week 6: April 10 Adventure Stories Traditional and contemporary constructions of adventure stories and criteria for assessing adventure stories Deep Water Elaine Forrestal Ash RoadIvan Southall

Timeline Week 7: April 17 Fantasy Stories Emergence, development and features of fantasy a) In real worlds RunestonesAnne Ciddor Dragonkeeper Carole Wilkinson Week 7: April 17 Fantasy Stories Emergence, development and features of fantasy a) In real worlds RunestonesAnne Ciddor Dragonkeeper Carole Wilkinson

Timeline Week 8: April 23 Fantasy Stories Creation of fantasy worlds. Criteria for assessing fantasy. b) In imaginary worlds Sabriel Garth Nix Shædow MasterJustin D’Ath Week 8: April 23 Fantasy Stories Creation of fantasy worlds. Criteria for assessing fantasy. b) In imaginary worlds Sabriel Garth Nix Shædow MasterJustin D’Ath

Timeline Week 9: May 1 Short Stories / Verse Novels Examining alternative modes of literary expression. Criteria for evaluating various styles. White Time Margot Lanagan a range of other material will be made available Week 9: May 1 Short Stories / Verse Novels Examining alternative modes of literary expression. Criteria for evaluating various styles. White Time Margot Lanagan a range of other material will be made available

Timeline Week 10: May 29 Summaries and Conclusions The key themes of the course will be re-examined Week 10: May 29 Summaries and Conclusions The key themes of the course will be re-examined