Fables, Fairytales, Legens: From King Arthur to Disney

This course introduces students to the development of the ‘fairy tale’ genre as part of the broader literary folklore and children literature tradition. This course is designed to explore the rich tradition of fables, fairy tales, and legends, examining their origins, and cultural significance. The course will introduce students to the evolution of the ‘fairy tale genre’ and its popularization starting with its origin to be found in King Arthur’s early depictions, culminating during the ‘Golden Age of Children Literature,’ over the 18th and 19th century in works such as Perrault’s Little Red Riding Hood, Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland, L. Frank Baum’s The Wizard of Oz and Barrie’s Peter Pan, ultimately ending with retelling of fairy tales during the late 20th century with Angela Carter and Roald Dahl’s Revolting Rhymes. The course will also familiarize students with the modern ‘fairy tale genre’, lastly showing how the genre has shifted to this day post Disneyfication. The course will consider how these tales have been adapted, reinterpreted, and passed down through generations, as well as how they reflect universal themes of morality, identity, and the human condition