This course will introduce students to the culturally diverse body of children's literature as a field of literary study. After a brief historical introduction in which the development of writing for children is presented in a socio-cultural context, students will read and respond, orally and in writing, to outstanding selections reflecting the multicultural heritage of this literature. Through lectures, class discussion, and supplemental textbook and journal article readings, students will be exposed to folklore, fairy tales, fantasy, poetry, and realistic fiction. As a final project, students will conduct an in-depth genre, author, or cultural study by using print and on-line resources. Upon completion of the course, students will be able to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate literature written for readers from pre-school through young adult.