Penn State University

Department/Program:
Curriculum and Instruction

Institution address:
260 Chambers Building
University Park, PA
16802
USA

Degree(s) Granted:
M.Ed.
M.S.
Ph.D.

Faculty involved in the program:
Daniel Hade ddh2@psu.edu
Mary Napoli mxn130@psu.edu
Steven Herb slh18@psu.edu

Courses offered:
LL ED 497E: The Art of the Picture Book
Picture books are a peculiar form of literary and visual art. They appear to be simple to read, but are they really so simple? In this course we will read pictures. We will attempt to stretch our own repertoire of strategies for reading picture books, and we'll be looking at how we can assist children to find meaning in picture books.

LL ED 497K: Fantasy Literature for Children
Good fantasy literature can be critical to children's understandings of themselves and the world. This course examines work by writers of classic fantasies (H.C. Andersen, A.A. Milne, etc.) written for children, as well as the work of contemporary authors (J.K. Rowling, Philip Pullman, etc.). The course also looks at the role of the imagination in the lives of children.

LL ED 502: Studies in Literature for Children
Study of various genres of children's literature, from various critical perspectives. Emphasis on role of literature in children's lives.

LL ED 541:Adolescent and Children’s Literature Related to Ethnic and Social Issues
Literature, K-12; study of literary symbolism, ethnic literature, issues, e.g., sex, death, adoption, divorce in trade books.

LL ED 594: Research in Language and Literacy Education
Cooperative design and study of research in language and literacy education.

LL ED 596: Individual Studies
Culminating course -- application of children's literature studies in the form of a graduate-level paper.

LL ED 597K: Myth and Folklore for Children
Myths are neither relics nor quaint stories once told by ancient or primitive people. Myths are defining stories of our humanity. This course looks at myth as something alive in us and among us -- a means by which we (and children) make sense of our lives and the workings of the cosmos.

For more information:
http://www.worldcampus.psu.edu/wc/MasterinCurriculumandInstructionChildrensLiterature.shtml