BLH3250 Fairytales and creativity - Nordic Childhoods Course description

Fairytales and Creativity is one of the courses about Nordic Childhoods. They focus on Nordic culture where nature plays an important role in society, aesthetics and in work with children. Joint events with the other Nordic Childhoods courses, are integrated as overnight trips and outdoor excursions. We also visit schools, kindergartens and other institutions. We focus on play, learning by doing, experience and workshops.

In the Fairytales and Creativity course we ask: Why do stories appeal to modern man? In what way can stories contribute to increased knowledge about today's cultural expressions, and about ourselves? How can we use stories in contexts relevant to different pedagogical approaches? 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, eclectic theories; myths and religion.

The language of all teaching and supervision is English, and the students should therefore have a working knowledge of both spoken and written English.

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 students

· 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 students are 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 students

· have developed consciousness about cultural Heritage

· are able to write an individual paper on a chosen subject within the main subject of the course

· are able to use myths, fairy tales and legends in a didactic context

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

Four of these individual components must be approved. The purpose of these work requirements is to gain experiences with storytelling, to practise creating enthusiasm for theory, to get international experience Beyond the regular lectures and workshops, to acquire practical skills in connection with a vocation, and to get first-hand experiences with the local context of the course.

1 Favourite story presentation (2-5 minutes)

2 Theory presentation (5-10 minutes)

3 Participate in International Days (week 43) 3-4 days workshop

4 Practical work in connection with arts and craft classes, 5 days workshop

5 Participate in excursions 5-10 days

Four of these group components must be approved:

1 Production of a drama (5 days workshop)

2 Production of radio theatre (5 days workshop)

3 Production of stop-motion animation (5 days workshop)

4 Blog Production (This is a diary that will require 5 minutes every week)

5 Practical work in connection with International Days (2-4 hours preparations)

The final assessment consists of an individual paper on a chosen subject (4000-4500 words). If the student makes a practical Product, the written part only needs to be 2000 words). The individual 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

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 entitled to make a renewed attempt the next semester. The re-examination will be arranged in the same manner as the regular exam. Students who fail the exam, may submit an improved paper for the new 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.

All examination support materials are permitted. However, sources must be stated in accordance with applicable rules for source References.

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.

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