This paper aims to share an example from a university class that integrates students' critical reading of literary texts and their application for educational purposes. The class was prompted by students' request for instruction that examines both asp...
This paper aims to share an example from a university class that integrates students' critical reading of literary texts and their application for educational purposes. The class was prompted by students' request for instruction that examines both aspects above. Through the whole term, students were encouraged to read and think critically, and also to express and share their ideas freely.
The class aims to ensure that 1) students share their existing knowledge and perspectives of fairy tales and examine the political, social and historical aspects of fairy tales. 2) student study the possibilities for the creative application and re-creation of traditional fairy tales by practising critical reading of Yolen's Briar Rose and Disney's films. 3) students themselves have opportunities to create their own stories using fairy tale motifs and can share their feedback on each other's story not only as learners but also as evaluators.
This class demonstrates that fairy tales are excellent texts not only for younger learners but also for university students and English teachers, enabling them to develop critical thinking, creative outcomes and communication ability, when they are better equipped with a more professional understanding of the stories' symbolic meanings and diverse backgrounds. This class was an attempt to prove the genuine possibility of fairy tales being used for critical and creative literacy for various age-groups.