Spring 2010

GRC 323E.4 • Hans Christian Andersen-W

Course Description

The principal objective of this course is to read and analyze Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tales. Andersen is a well known and loved storyteller, but his fairy tales are more than simple children's stories. He wrote for adults as much as for children, and though his tales are full of magic and joy, they also contain a subtle layer of suffering, deprivation and sorrow you will find if you dig deeper into the texts. His best stories do more than entertain us, they examine the human soul and deal with its complexity and force us to do the same. His stories are more complex than you might think! Our readings will include the biographical traits of his stories, but will primarily focus on his mastery of the genre and his complex narrative method. Further more we will examine how Andersen is influenced by the folk tales. Hans Christian Andersen's fantastic fairy tales have attracted numerous film and theatre makers. We will watch and analyze excerpts from these adaptations as an integral part of the course. The course aims at increasing your ability to think and work analytically. This includes developing the ability to read and analyze literary and non-literary texts, to voice criticism through coherent argumentation, to reason by analogy, to formulate good questions and to communicate your discoveries to others by writing an academic essay. This course fulfils the substantial writing component.

Grading Policy

Writing assignments: 20% Essay 1: 15% Quizzes: 15% Midterm: 10% Participation: 15% Final essay: 25%

Texts

Hans Christian Andersen: The Complete Fairy Tales and Stories (trans. Erik Christian Haugaard) All other materials will be uploaded to blackboard.

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