English 400/4: Theology & Children’s Literature
Spring 2010
Elisabeth Gruner
Friday 12 – 2:20, Ryland Hall 204
Office Hours: Thursday, 2-4 pm, Ryland 303-C, 289-8298
Course Description
According to Ursula LeGuin, “fantasy is the natural, the appropriate, language for the recounting of the spiritual journey and the struggle of good and evil in the soul.” Philip Pullman has similarly claimed that “There are some themes, some subjects too large for adult fiction; they can only be dealt with adequately in a children’s book.” This course will test the validity of these statements, examining children’s literature from the 20th and 21st centuries, especially fantasy literature, through the lens of theology. Texts read will include novels by C.S. Lewis, Philip Pullman, Madeleine L’Engle, Ursula LeGuin, and David Almond, and essays and criticism from a variety of sources. Requirements include a heavy reading load, frequent and well-informed discussion, and a research paper as well as two shorter papers and class presentations.
My goals for the course are as follows:
- Students will read and analyze a variety of literary works for children.
- Students will become acquainted with and make both written and oral use of some of the central terms of literary and theological analysis.
- Students will become expert on a self-chosen topic and both:
- present their findings to the class, and
- write an article-length (15-20 page) analysis of their topic