BLH3250 Fairytales and creativity - Nordic Childhoods Emneplan

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

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 has the following contents:

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

• 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.

Target group

The course is designed to offer a full-time study-program in English for students of Early Childhood and Primary School Teacher Education, but is also relevant for students of other professions, like museum pedagogues, hospital workers and social workers. The period of study is 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

Applicants are admitted as international students 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.