The 2025 Children’s Literature Summer School is devoted to diversity and inclusion in children’s literature. These central themes are explored from multiple perspectives, incorporating key insights from fields like critical race studies, age studies, queer and gender studies, as well as translation studies. We place a strong emphasis on intersectionality, delving into how literary and artistic forms engage with topics of diversity and inclusion. Students not only attend dynamic lectures but also participate in interactive workshops and two excursions. The international diversity of our students is viewed as a valuable resource, enriching the classroom experience.
Details of the 2025 programme will be announced in the following months.
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Target group
This summer school is mainly targeted at MA and PhD students, but also open to more senior researchers and professionals with an interest in children’s literature studies.
Participants should have at least completed 3 full years of undergraduate education (BA level) by the time of the summer school.
PhD students are given the opportunity to present their research projects or give a 20-minute paper in two workshops that will be reserved for this purpose. They will be invited to submit an abstract when they register for the summer school.
Elizabeth J. Mills and Michelle Martin at the 2019 Children's Literature Summer School.
Campus
This summer school takes place at Stadscampus (Prinsstraat 13, 2000 Antwerp) of the University of Antwerp. This campus is located in the city centre.
Micro-credential and study credits (ECTS)
3-6 ECTS credits can be awarded upon successful completion of the programme (including all assessment tasks).
- To earn 3 ECTS students are required to attend the full summer school and submit preparatory tasks for the workshops. Note that this option is not available to students from the University of Antwerp, who can only take the course for 6 ECTS.
- To earn 6 ECTS students are required to attend the full summer school, submit preparatory tasks for the workshops and complete a 4000-word paper on a topic related to the theme of the summer school. All students who want to earn 6 ECTS have to submit an application with motivation when they register for the summer school, as well as a paper topic. Applications will be accepted or rejected on the basis of the quality of the proposals.
To include the credits in the curriculum at the home institution, participants need an agreement with the responsible person at their university. A certificate will be awarded at the end of the programme. All certificates of completion are issued as a micro-credential.
Learning outcomes
- An understanding of (new) research methods for studying children’s literature, such as digital humanities and participatory research.
- Knowledge of the terms and theoretical perspectives on children’s literature studies from age studies, cognitive studies, urban studies, and media studies, and the skills to apply these to a text for children.
- The skills to participate actively in a discussion on children’s literature. The skills to write a coherent academic paper on a topic related to theme the course.