Children's Books Gain Major Attention
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Children's Books Gain Major Attention
Prof. Zohar Shavit of TAU's
Shirley and Leslie Porter School of Cultural Studies, the Lester and Sally
Entin Faculty of Humanities, together with Prof. Hans Heino Ewers of
Frankfurt University, has received a substantial research grant totalling up
to DM 1 million, from the DFG - The Institute for Research of Children's
Literature, University of Frankfurt. The five-year grant is for research into
the role of children's literature in shaping modern concepts among Jews in
19th century Germany (see TAU News Winter 1996). This is the first time
that an Israeli researcher has received a grant of this kind from the DFG.
The point of departure of the research is the idea that children's literature
plays a major role in shaping and reflecting societal values since it
expresses these values in the clearest and most unambiguous manner.
According to the researchers, children's literature is a vehicle for
criticizing existing society, disseminating knowledge and values, and shaping
future models of society.
The two researchers will develop a theoretical model according to which each
will examine three different historical case studies. Prof. Shavit's research
will focus on attempts made by writers of children's literature to modernize
Jewish society. One case study concerns an attempt to change the traditional
structure of Jewish society, first in Germany and later in Eastern Europe,
while another example attempts to shape a new national identity in Eretz
Israel.
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