MA Literature for Children and Young Adults

Plymouth Marjon University

Course Summary

Do you have a passion for children’s literature? Do you want to share literature with children and develop their ability to read for pleasure? Do you want to deepen your own knowledge of the literature, studying and discussing alongside like mind peers? Then this is the course for you!

The study at Masters Level will enable you to immerse yourself in the world of literature for children and young adults gaining experiences and accreditation within a friendly, flexible setting.

Through a blend of learning approaches, you will explore how children’s literature has developed over the last century to offer a diverse range of genres and experiences for children. You will develop your own skills of enquiry and critical appraisal. You will examine relationships between readers, writers, illustrators, texts and contexts. There are opportunities to develop your own pathways of study and to work on the creative writing of children’s literature.

Modules are taught by a team of enthusiastic and experienced experts within the field of children’s literature. We have established links with local and national bodies and can present and offer a variety of experiences and opportunities.

This is a research-driven and practice informed course, designed to help enhance students' professional practice in a variety of scenarios to support children in reading for pleasure. You will develop skills of critical reflection and deepen your knowledge and understanding of the wonderful texts available for today’s young readers. You will be introduced to many new texts and will also rediscover some old favourites. Studies of genres will offer choices to specialise in chosen areas as well as exploring new and possibly unfamiliar fields.

What might you become?

This course allows the student to gain advanced knowledge and understanding within the field of children's literature, this therefore leads towards a career working closely with parents, teachers and children.

After completion of this MA students will be able to embark on a career helping others to develop a passion for children's literacy whilst also helping to raise children's standards in reading. This may be achieved through teaching in schools, librarians, nursery staff or social work.

How will you be taught?

Learning and teaching methods will be varied and flexible meeting the needs of the course participants, and include workshops, lectures, conferences, visiting writers, digital learning and supported independent study.

How will you be assessed?

Students submit work for marking, moderation and external examination. A range of assessment types exist in the modules, including a dissertation, portfolios, presentations, creative writing, essays, reflective studies or practice based study.