Term
Project: English 325B (Spring 1999)
Tentative topics list
Guidelines
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The purpose of this project is to engage in a critical analysis of some
component of children's literature.
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Your essay should be approximately 7-10 pages (typed), standard MLA or
APA format.
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So that it helps you acquire a broader base of knowledge about works of
children's literature, the project must involve some books we have not
covered in class.
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Please submit a written proposal describing your plan (in as much detail
as possible) by Tuesday, February 23. Earlier submissions are welcome.
If you are planning something radically different from the ideas suggested
here, it's best to consult with me as early as possible. I will respond
to your proposal and we will finalize detailed plans by Monday, March 1
(by which time you will be into your research.) Your complete draft is
due April 20, and the final project is due no later than Tuesday, May 4
at 5 p.m.
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Plan to have at least one conference with me and/or with Phil Christman
to discuss your work-in-progress.
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I encourage projects that involve working directly with children. Consider
a project that dovetails with a service-learning project at a school or
daycare center. Collaborating with the experts (in this case, 4-year olds
or fifth graders) can be illuminating.
Some suggestions
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Study and compare several versions of one story or collection: the Bible
(or a single Bible story, e.g. Noah's Ark), Aesop's fables, Arthurian legends,
other well-known folk legends (e.g., Little Red Riding Hood), biographies
of a well-known individual, or any clearly established classic. Evaluate
the collections and write about how socio-economic factors (target audience/consumer,
time and place of production, political and social agenda, and so forth)
shape each version of the work you are studying.
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Research and report on a single author or artist, a production method,
an editor, a publisher, or some other aspect of the children's book industry.
(This is a traditional research paper, for which I would expect an engaging
and stimulating thesis. What would you like to prove about your subject?)
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Write a thoroughly-researched argumentative paper on the teaching of literature
in elementary schools. What interests you about teaching books to children?
What worries you? What would you like to understand better? (Possible issues:
censorship, whole-language reading instruction, integrating literature
with other teaching areas.)
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Research, compile, and describe a substantial thematic unit or annotated
bibliography of children's literature on a particular topic (e.g., the
Middle Ages, soccer, ballet, death and dying, little brothers, newts, moving
to a new place, toilet-training, dealing with bullies, dyslexia). Preface
this unit or bibliography with an introductory essay justifying the collection
and describing its possible use.
English 325B: Children's Literature
Contact Karen Saupe (ksaupe@calvin.edu)
2/5/99