History of Children's Literature
LIT-40093
Gain a deep understanding of the history of children's literature by studying classics of post-enlightenment writing for children. This course provides children’s book writers, illustrators and enthusiasts alike an essential exploration of the development of children’s literature over time, while also providing benchmarks for critiquing one’s own work. Reading will include several masterpieces in the genre.
Learning Objectives:
- Analyze children/young adult literary texts within historical & cultural contexts through discussions and written assignments.
- Learn about the multiple literary genres, writers & cultures, and explore relevant issues raised in each text.
- Sharpen critical reading skills and develop a familiarity with literary terms through assigned readings and lectures.
- Draw on assigned readings, discussions and other sources to formulate, outline and articulate critiques in written form.
Quarters Offered: Fall | Winter | Spring | Summer
Prerequisite: none
Course Information
Course sessions
Section ID:
Class type:
This course is entirely web-based and to be completed asynchronously between the published course start and end dates. Synchronous attendance is NOT required.
You will have access to your online course on the published start date OR 1 business day after your enrollment is confirmed if you enroll on or after the published start date.
Textbooks:
Where the Wild Things Are 1st
by Maurice Sendak
ISBN / ASIN: 0060254920
Black and White 1st
by Macaulay, David
ISBN / ASIN: 0395521513
The Arrival 1st
by Tan, Shaun
ISBN / ASIN: 0439895294
Dreamers 1st
by Morales, Yuri
ISBN / ASIN: 0823440559
Legendborn 1st
by Deonn, Tracy
ISBN / ASIN: 1534441611
The Birchbark House 2002
by Erdrich, Louise
ISBN / ASIN: 9780786814541
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland 1st
by Carroll, Lewis
ISBN / ASIN: 991673268X
You may purchase textbooks via the UC San Diego Bookstore.
Policies:
- No refunds after: 1/17/2026
- Early enrollment advised
Note:
Schedule:
Instructor:
Jill Coste, M.A.
Jill Coste teaches Copyediting III for the Copyediting certificate program. She has fifteen years of writing and editing experience in university and other non-profit environments. She began her editing career in college communications offices, copyediting annual reports, alumni magazines, and campus correspondence. Jill holds a PhD in English with a focus on children’s and young adult literature from the University of Florida, where she was also a copyeditor for the Journal of Undergraduate Research and the academic journal ImageText. As a freelance editor, Jill works with children’s and YA literature as well as academic writing.
