English 583: The Heroic Tradition in Children's Literature
Fall 2013 – Section #22231125
Mondays & Wednesdays 2:00-3:15 p.m. - Anspach 150

In this course we consider the heroic tradition and its influences on Children’s and Young Adult Literature through the ages. In addition to reading a selection of works which have shaped this tradition, we will also study a number of modern and contemporary works of Children’s and Young Adult Literature that incorporate the heroic tradition. Through seminar discussions, directed research projects, presentations, and other means we will consider these texts in terms of their literary, aesthetic, cultural, psychological, theoretical, and sociological perspectives and implications.


While the reading list for the class is still being finalized, it will certainly include the following: 

·   Beowulf: A New Verse Translation by Seamus Heaney – Norton
Suzanne Collins, The Hunger Games – Scholastic
Homer, The Odyssey (trans. Robert Fagles) – Penguin
L.M. Montgomery, Rilla of Ingleside – Bantam
Philip Pullman, The Golden Compass – Laurel Leaf
Louis Sachar, Holes – Yearling
J. R. R. Tolkien, The Hobbit – Houghton Mifflin

The full course syllabus will be posted on Blackboard once it is finalized and distributed during our first meeting.


 

 

Contact Information

Professional Biography

Children's Literature Resources

MLA Format

Other CMU Links

Back to Home Page

 

Central Michigan University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity institution. It encourages diversity and provides equal opportunity in education, employment, all of its programs, and the use of its facilities. It is committed to protecting the constitutional and statutory civil rights of persons connected with the university.

Unlawful acts of discrimination or harassment by members of the campus community are prohibited.

In addition, even if not illegal, acts are prohibited if they discriminate against any university community member(s) through inappropriate limitation of access to, or participation in, educational, employment, athletic, social, cultural, or other university activities on the basis of age, color, disability, gender, gender identity/gender expression, genetic information, height, marital status, national origin, political persuasion, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or weight.