EPN

BLH3250 Fairytales and creativity - Nordic Childhoods Course description

Course name in Norwegian
Fairytales and creativity - Nordic Childhoods
Study programme
Bachelorstudium i barnehagelærerutdanning - samlings- og nettbasert / Bachelorstudium i barnehagelærerutdanning, deltid - Sandvika
Weight
20.0 ECTS
Year of study
2019/2020
Curriculum
FALL 2019
Schedule
Course history

Introduction

Why do stories appeal to modern man? In what way can stories contribute to increased knowledge about today's cultural expressions, and about ourselves? The objective of the course is to introduce students to the story traditions of western culture and the main theories of myths and basic mythology. Important elements in the course are: the difference between myths, fairytales and legends; structural theories, psychological theories, eclectically theories; myths and religion. 

Target group

Target group is international exchange students at Faculty of Education and International Studies from preschool and primary school teacher education institutions. 

The course is designed to offer a full-time study-program in English for students of Early Childhood and Primary School Teacher Education. The period of study will be for 3 months. The students may decide to prolong their length of the stay from 3 to 4 months after arrival. The language of all teaching and supervision is English, and the students should therefore have a working knowledge of both spoken and written English. 

Admission

Admission as an international student at Faculty of Education and International Studies. Students from other academic areas may also be accepted. Students must have completed at least one year of their undergraduate degree studies at their home institution in order to be accepted.

Required preliminary courses

No prerequisites.

Learning outcomes

After completion of the course of study, the student will have acquired the following learning outcomes, defined as knowledge, skills and general competence: 

Knowledge

The student

  • have developed knowledge about myths, fairytales and legends
  • have achieved an understanding of the content of the narratives, both the structure and motives and the psychological ramifications
  • have acquired insight into the role of oral society for the emergence of fairy tales 

Skills

The student is able to

  • understand how narrative patterns can be used in aesthetic Productions
  • work creatively with music, art, drama etc.
  • create different story based performances 

General competence

The student

  • have developed consciousness about cultural Heritage
  • is able to write an individual paper on a chosen subject within the main subject of the course
  • is able to use myths, fairy tales and legends in a didactic context 

Content

The course is organized as a full time study for one semester. The students are expected to work approximately 40 hours per week. The course have to following content: 

Theory

  • The differences between myths, fairy tales and legends
  • Structural theories, psychological theories, eclectic theories
  • Myths and religions
  • Psychology of importance and meaning in fairy tales

Traditional stories as cultural expressions

  • The student's own cultural identity and stories
  • Hero tales and contemporary mass media narratives
  • Cultural exchanges
  • Excursions; museums, schools, kindergartens

Stories as background for various artistic expressions

  • Puppet making and performing
  • Storytelling
  • Stop motion and animation
  • Dramatization
  • Stories and music
  • Digital mediation of myths, fairy tales and legends

Stories in a didactic perspective

  • The uses of fairy tales in education and therapy
  • Didactic reflections on the use of myths and fairy tales
  • Practical work with traditional narratives
  • Excursions; schools, kindergartens
  • Literature studies/theory
  • Lectures and supervision
  • Excursions, workshops, seminars
  • Cultural exchanges/discussions
  • Individual and group papers/performances

Working methods

  • Literature studies/theory
  • Lectures and supervision
  • Excursions, workshops, seminars
  • Cultural exchanges/discussions
  • Individual and group papers/performances

Teaching and learning methods

  •  Literature studies/theory
  • Lectures and supervision
  • Excursions
  • Workshops
  • Seminars
  • Cultural exchanges/discussions
  • Reflective journal
  • Individual and group papers/performances 

Course requirements

Not applicable.

Assessment

Final assessment is accomplished in the fall semester. The final assessment consists of an individual paper on a chosen subject (4000-4500 words).

The paper should

  • have an individually chosen theme
  • be a deeper study of this individually chosen subject 

The paper can

  • be a purely theoretic study/analysis
  • include practice studies
  • be a tryout of educational ideas connected to the subject
  • be a performance etc., including theoretic reflections about the choices made 

The topic must be approved by the course leader(s).

New or postponed examinations

In case of failing the exam or in case of valid absence at the time of the exam, the student is entitledto make a renewed attempt the next semester. The re-examination will be arranged in the same manner as the regular exam. Regulations for new or postponed examinations are available in Regulations relating to studies and examinations at OsloMet. Students must register for a new or postponed examination.

Permitted exam materials and equipment

All.

Grading scale

Grading scale, A-F.

Grading will be according to the ECTS-grading scale, with A-E as pass grades and F as fail grade. Criteria for the different grades will be presented to the students at the beginning of the course. 

Examiners

Final assessment is reviewed and approved by internal and external examiners.