Fairy Tales: Meanings, Messages, and Morals
Build your skills in literary analysis and creative writing by exploring the meaning of fairy tales.
Duration
3 weeksWeekly study
3 hours
Fairy Tales: Meanings, Messages, and Morals
Discover the fascinating circumstances and meanings behind fairy tales
On this course, you will look deeper into the enchanting and surprisingly dark themes of several well-known European fairy tales.
What were the authors thinking? What were the cultural and personal concerns that have shaped these stories? What are the readers being asked to believe?
By considering the historical context of fairy tales and examining the characters, styles, and plots, you will discover that the intended morals of the original stories may not be exactly what you first thought.
What topics will you cover?
- Exploring fairy tales
- Interpreting literary narratives
- Cultural context in literature
When would you like to start?
Date to be announced
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Learning on this course
You can take this self-guided course and learn at your own pace. On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.
What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...
- Demonstrate close acquaintance with three famous fairy tales.
- Explain the significance of cultural contexts in shaping fairy tales.
- Interpret narratives at basic level.
Who is the course for?
Recommended for learners age 15+
This course is for anyone interested in fairy tales and literary analysis, including reading enthusiasts, storytellers, and creative writers.
Who will you learn with?
I’m an Associate Professor of English literature at the University of Newcastle, Australia. I am passionate about poetry, but my research focuses on modern literature, especially fantasy.
Who developed the course?
The University of Newcastle Australia
The University of Newcastle is a world-class university distinguished by a commitment to equity and excellence. Ranked in Australia’s Top 10 universities, and 197th in the world (QS rankings, 2021).
Established
1965Location
Newcastle, AustraliaWorld ranking
Top 200Source: QS World University Rankings 2021
Learning on FutureLearn
Your learning, your rules
- Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps, but you can complete them as quickly or slowly as you like
- Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
- Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores
Join a global classroom
- Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
- Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
- Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others
Map your progress
- As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
- Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
- Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate
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