University of the West of England

MODULE SPECIFICATION

(Template Revised October 2005)

Code: UPGPPG-30-1 Title: Once Upon a Time: Stories, Children and Literature Version: 1

Level: 1 UWE credit rating: 30 ECTS credit rating: 15

Module type: Standard

Owning Faculty: Social Sciences and Humanities Field: English

Valid from: September 2008 Discontinued from:

Contributes towards: Awards up to BA (Hons)

Pre-requisites: None

Co-requisites: None

Excluded combinations: None

Learning outcomes:

On completing this module, students should normally be able to demonstrate:

• an understanding of the formal concepts underlying narrative fiction and narrative verse (assessed through all elements of Components A and B);

• the ability to analyse specific examples of narrative with reference to different theoretical approaches (assessed through all elements of Components A and B);

• the relationship of orality and folktale to modern literatures of childhood (assessed through all elements of Components A and B).

• an understanding of the ways in which memory and childhood have been investigated as literary subjects (assessed through all elements of Components A and B).

• the ability to use creative literary practice as an exploratory and analytical tool (assessed through element 3 of Component B).

• the ability to write literate and critical essays and form arguments with an awareness of appropriate methods of research, referencing and bibliography (assessed through all elements of Components A and B).

Syllabus outline:

‘Once Upon a Time’ is a module focused on questions of narrative, as it functions in prose, poetry and drama, in both oral and literary culture. It considers the ways that stories are constructed and narrated, especially as they relate to the rendering of human experience; and on the role of the reader in parsing and building meaning. It also addresses the relationship between narrative form and subject matter – not least in folk-tale and the genres that have grown from it.

The thematic centre of ‘Once Upon a Time’ is the representation of childhood, both as it rendered explicitly, through fictional representation and memoirs; and implicitly, through the production of stories deemed suitable for children. Changing historical concepts of children’s interests, needs and natures will be addressed through the study of narratives for and about them, taking into account the ways in which certain narrative forms and strategies have at various times been considered particularly suitable for children’s consumption.

Teaching and learning methods:

The module will be taught via seminars/workshops and lectures (one of each per week).

Reading Strategy:

There will be a few set texts which students are expected to buy. Other essential reading will be made available in an appendix to the module handbook, in printed study packs or electronically. Formal opportunities for students to start develop their library and information skills are provided within the module UPGPDC-60-1 Approaches to Literature and Criticism in the Level 1 curriculum.

Indicative sources:

The following list is offered to provide validation panels/ accrediting bodies with an indication of the type and level of information students may be expected to consult. As such, its currency may wane during the life span of the module specification. However, as indicated above, CURRENT advice on readings will be available via other more frequently updated mechanisms.

Ong, W. J.	Orality and literacy: the technologizing of the word (London: Methuen, 1982)
Bal, M. Brooks, P. Furniss, T., and M. Bath. Keen, S. Nodelman, P. and M. Reimer.	Narratology : introduction to the theory of narrative  (Toronto: U. of Toronto, 1997) Reading for the Plot: Design and Intention in Narrative. New York: Knopf, 1984. Reading Poetry: An Introduction. London: Harvester, 1996. Narrative Form. Basingstoke: Palgrave, 2003. The Pleasures of Children’s Literature [3rd edition]. Boston: Allyn and Bacon, 2003.
Rimmon-Kenan, S.	Narrative Fiction: Contemporary Poetics, (London: Routledge, 1983).
Tatar, M.	The Classic Fairy Tale, (New York: Norton, 1999).
Warner, M. Zipes, Jack	From the Beast to the Blonde: On Fairy Tales and Their Tellers, (London: Chatto & Windus, 1994). Why Fairy Tales Stick: The Evolution and Relevance of a Genre. New York and London: Routledge, 2006.

Assessment

Weighting between components A and B (standard modules only) A: 35% B: 65%

ATTEMPT 1

First Assessment Opportunity

Component A

Description of each element Element weighting

1. Examination (2 hours) 35%

Component B

Description of each element Element weighting

1. Text comparison exercise and oral report 10%

2. Essay (1,500 words) 25%

3. Creative Writing and commentary (2,000 words) 25%

4. Attendance 5%

Second Assessment Opportunity (further attendance at taught classes is not required)

Component A

Description of each element Element weighting

1. Examination (2 hours) 35%

Component B

Description of each element Element weighting

1. Text comparison exercise 10%

2. Essay (2,000 words) 30%

3. Creative Writing (2,000 words) 25%

SECOND (OR SUBSEQUENT) ATTEMPT Attendance at taught classes is required.

Specification confirmed by …………………………………………Date …………………………… (Associate Dean/Programme Director)