BLH3330 Fairytales and creativity - Nordic Childhoods Course description

Fairytales and Creativity is one of the courses under Nordic Childhoods. It focuses 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 increasing 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 storytelling tradition 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 completing of the course, the student should have the following learning outcomes, defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student

· has developed knowledge of myths, fairytales and legends

· has achieved an understanding of the content of the narratives, both the structure and motives and

the psychological ramifications

· has 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

· has developed an awareness of cultural heritage

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

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

· can reflect on and produce authentic texts and media products aimed at actual target groups

· can reflect on and contribute to entrepreneurship related to the course content

•Literature studies/theory

•Lectures and supervision

•Excursions

•Workshops

•Seminars

•Cultural exchanges/discussions

•Reflective journal

•Individual and group papers/performances

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

1 Favourite story presentation (2-5 minutes)

2 Theory presentation (5-10 minutes)

3 Participatione in International Week (week 43) 3-4 days of lectures and workshops

4 Practical work in connection with arts and craft classes 5 days of workshops

5 Participatione in excursions 5-10 days

Four of the following group coursework requirements must be approved. The purpose of these work requirements is to gain experience from peers, to learn profession-specific work methods, to reflect on the relationship between theory and practice and to assess the acourse activities while reflecting on the relevance of

the courseactivities.

1 Production of a drama (5 days of workshop)

2 Production of radio theatre (5 days of workshop)

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

4 Blog production (a diary that will require five minutes every week)

5 Practical work in connection with International Week/Days (2-4 hours of preparation)

The final assessment is based on two exams. The completion of the two exams will result in one final overall grade. The final grade for the course will be calculated as the sum of the grades for the first and second part worth 60% and 40% respectively.

Part 1

The first part consists of an individual paper on a chosen topic (4.000-4.500 words. If the student makes a practical product, the written part only needs to be 2.000 words). The individual paper should

•have an individually chosen topic and be related to the student's own experiences

•be an in-depth study of this individually chosen topic

The paper can

•be a purely theoretical study/analysis

•include practicale studies

•test out of educational ideas linked to the subject

•be a performance etc., including theoretical reflections one the choices made

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

Part 2

The second part consists of an individual product addressing an authentic target group. The student writes a meta-text 1.000-1.500 words).

The product should

• have an individually chosen topic/purpose
• represent a deeper understanding of the individually chosen topic/purpose
• address an authentic target group
• the meta-text should argue for the choices made in the product
• the topic must be approved by the course leader(s)

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 exam aids are permitted. However, sources musts be stated in accordance with the applicable rules on source references.

Grade scale, A-F

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

The first exam will be graded by one internal and one external examiner.

The second exam will be graded by internal examiners.