Children’s and Young Adult Literature as a School and Academic Discipline in Serbia

Abstract

The paper deals with the constitution of children’s literature in historical perspective, and then focuses on children’s and young adult literature as an academic discipline in the Republic of Serbia. Particular attention is paid to the study of this field as an academic discipline at the Teachers Education Faculty in Belgrade. It is evident that this academic discipline has its place in both bachelor and master studies, and that it is realized through compulsory and elective courses and modules. Additionally, goals, study methods and starting points are mapped. Also, the authors do not forget to deal with the status of this literature filed in the context of primary school curricula, and the role it plays in the tendencies of the educational process in Serbia. The paper explores the extent to which the academic discipline of children’s and young adult literature is closely intertwined with its contents as a school discipline. This synchronicity is a consequence of the need to better prepare students for the academic context, as well as to offer insights and approaches that will allow them to synchronously and diachronically view children’s and young adult literature.