In addition to meeting the normal course requirements in Myth, Folktale and Children's Literature, including the two papers and exams, each student in the Honors section of ComLit 234 will meet the following additional requirements:
 

• Attend and actively participate in the weekly Honors Section discussion.

• Read and discuss additional assigned readings, usually one reading per class meeting. Some of these will be related to questions about the aesthetics, social and cultural norms, language or status of children's literature and folk narrative. Others may have more to do with historical aspects of myth, folk tale or children's books.The syllabus contains a substantial bibliography; you are encouraged to draw on that bibliography, and to make the best use of the resources available at the W.E.B. Dubois Library.

• Offer one 10 minute oral presentation regarding course-related readings during the semester.

• Develop an annotated bibliography of thirty books for children.  Readings should include the following minima :

1. Ten children's picturebooks originally published between 1930 and 2000. No adaptations of Disney films will be counted.
   
2. At least ten chapter books published between 1850 and 1945.
3. At least five books for children from countries other than the U.S.A. and Canada.
4.  A minimum of thirty books for children should be read and commented on. Each entry should provide the following:

1. Clear and concise summary (one sentence) of storyline.
2. Brief commentary on distinguishing features of this book, 1) as related to other books by the same author(s), or 2) to books similar to this one by other authors
3. Brief commentary on interesting patterns or features in presentation and presented worlds of the text.
4. Brief account of your reaction to this book. Please speak for yourself, not for the hypothetical child.
5. Brief identifying label situating text within "minima" listed above.
   

• Develop a proposal for a "special interest" research project, drawing on theory and criticism in the fields of folk narrative and children's literature and related fields.

• One of the following:

 Either...
 

• Maintain a journal of your responses to readings and lectures, to be submitted, at two week intervals during the semester, and  as an electronic file in Microsoft Word, 2003 (no .docx files, please). The date of each entry should be noted. Each entry should demonstrate a willingness to "step outside the box," to interrogate ideas and concepts found in assigned and recommended readings, and to come to terms with your own biases and pre-conceptions as a reader. Readings commented upon should include those you have selected that inform your special research interests in myth, folktale and children's literature. 

• Write an additional critical essay, approximately 2,500 words in length, due at the end of the semester, examining within a particular critical framework (one suggested by your special research interests in myth, folktale and children's literature) some aspects of books for children or folk narrative that you have found in your research. This paper should demonstrate your willingness to "step outside the box," to interrogate ideas and concepts found in assigned and recommended readings, and to come to terms with your own biases and pre-conceptions as a reader. This paper must be congruent with your proposal for a "special interest" research project," mentioned above.