PREREQUISITES:
MLIS and Dual MAS/MLIS: Completion of MLIS Core or permission of iSchool Graduate Advisor
MAS: completion of MAS core and permission of the iSchool Graduate Advisor
GOAL: The goal of this course is to provide students with the knowledge and appreciation of Canadian children’s literature and critical and professional resources in this field. This knowledge will be a required foundation for a range of programs and services that public libraries offer children, young adults, their families, caregivers and teachers, including: collection development and management; information services; and programming.
OBJECTIVES:
Upon completion of this course students will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of Canadian children’s literature: its historical development, genres, formats, and content [2.1]*
- Categorize a wide range of Canadian authors, illustrators, texts, and publishers [2.1]*
- Identify and demonstrate a familiarity with associations, organizations, and other agencies involved in the creation and promotion of Canadian children’s books [2.1]*
- Explain the development of publishing for children in Canada [2.1]*
- Interpret trends, issues, and themes such as cultural identity in Canadian children’s literature and publishing [2.1]*
- Discuss the development and current state of Canadian children’s literature [2.1]*
- Analyze issues relating to censorship of Canadian children’s books in schools and libraries [1.4]*
- Explain the role of the children’s library and other adults in promoting Canadian children’s literature [1.4]*
- Demonstrate knowledge of professional and academic resources in the field [4.1]*
- Assess critical and professional resources in print and electronic format in the study and use of Canadian children’s literature [2.2]*
* Course objectives are stated in terms of student learning outcomes and reference the iSchool Statement on Graduate Competencies.
CONTENT:
- History and current state of Canadian children’s literature
- Publishing for children in Canada
- Associations, organizations, and agencies involved in the creation and promotion of Canadian children’s books
- Genres of Canadian children’s literature
- Significant texts, authors and illustrators
- Canadian children’s media
- Trends and issues in Canadian children’s books and publishing
- Themes of cultural identity in Canadian children’s literature
- The role of the children’s librarian and other adults in promoting Canadian children’s literature and mediating the relationship of child and text
- Censorship of Canadian children’s books in schools and libraries
- Professional and academic resources in Canadian children’s literature