English 305

Students who approach their studies in a systematic and organized manner are more likely to complete the course successfully than are those who do not plan a course of action for themselves. We strongly recommend, therefore, that you follow a study schedule to assist you in budgeting your time.

We have designed the following schedule to help you organize your activities and complete the course in approximately 7 months. As you finish each activity, you might like to check it off so that you know it is done and can actually see the progress you are making in the course. You may, of course, proceed more quickly or somewhat more slowly than this schedule suggests: your contract allows you twelve months to complete the course. If you find, however, that you cannot complete it within this time, consult the current Athabasca University Calendar for information on obtaining an extension to your course contract.

Be sure to contact your tutor if you are having any difficulty with the material in the course.

Week 1:	Read through this entire Student Manual carefully. Study Lesson 1: Historical Background. Note: If you do not have a strong background in English literature or feel in need of a quick refresher, we strongly recommend that you begin your studies in this course by reading Chapter 4 in the Russell text, Literature for Children: a Short Introduction.
Week 2:	Study Lesson 2: The Folktale.
Week 3:	Study Lesson 3: From Folktale to Literary Tale.
Week 4:	After re-reading the section of this manual entitled "Tips on Writing Essays," prepare and submit your first essay. Remember to enclose a tutor-marked exercise form and indicate that this is assignment 1.
Week 5:	Study Lesson 4: The Evolution of Fantasy.
Weeks 6-8:	Study Lesson 5: High Fantasy.
Weeks 9-10:	Study Lesson 6: Alternatives to High Fantasy.
Weeks 11-12:	Request your mid-term exam. Review your tutor's comments on your first essay. If necessary, review the section in this manual entitled "Tips on Writing Essays," then prepare and submit your second essay.
Weeks 13-14:	Re-read the section of this manual entitled "Tips on Writing Athabasca University English Examinations." Review your tutor's comments on your essays; prepare for and write the mid-term exam.
Weeks 15-16:	Study Lesson 7: The Realistic Novel.
Weeks 17-18:	Study Lesson 8: Period and Historical Fiction.
Weeks 19-20:	Study Lesson 9: The Cultural Context.
Week 21:	Study Lesson 10: Nonfiction.
Week 22:	Study Lesson 11: Nursery Rhyme, Poetry and Nonsense Verse.
Week 23:	Study Lesson 12: The Picture Book and Illustration.
Week 24:	Study Lesson 13: Who Classifies the Classics?
Week 25:	Study Lesson 14: Looking Back and Looking Ahead.
Weeks 26-27:	Review your tutor's comments on the first two essays. If necessary, review the section of this manual entitled "Tips on Writing Essays," then prepare and submit your third essay. Request your final exam.
Weeks 28-29:	Review the section of this manual entitled "Tips on Writing Athabasca University English Examinations." Review your tutor's comments on all of your essays. Prepare for and write the final exam.
	Congratulations on completing the course!