JAN 115 - Exploring Fairy Tales

Everyone is familiar with fairy tales, but few have taken the time to look at them closely. Investigation reveals these tales to be imaginative creations of surprising richness and cultural significance. In this course, we will explore fairy tales through scholarly approaches practiced by folklorists. Among other approaches, we will consider fairy tales as materials for performance; as entities with specific histories that can be traced across history and geography; as complex structural constructs; as manifestations of fundamental psychological fears, needs, and desires; as cultural artifacts that convey specific understandings of class and gender; and as works of oral literature. The exploration will be conducted through readings of tales and folklore scholarship; daily writing assignments in which students will compare and contrast tales and reflect upon the scholarly texts associated with them; and in-class analysis and discussion of tales and scholarly approaches.

Instructor(s): Steve Tillis
Email:  stillis@stmarys-ca.edu
 

Prerequisites & Notes
Prerequisites:  SEM 002/102 or ENG 5/108 or by permission of the instructor
Course Fee:  40
 

Credits: 1