The Picture Book: In this course, we will explore the complexities and historical development of the picture book, a deceptively simple genre of children's literature, and ways in which this genre not only delights young readers but also shapes their perceptions of the worlds they inhabit, and positions them within both the narrative and the readers' social relations. We will learn about fundamentals of art design and the technology of producing picture books, investigate both visual and textual codes of representation, and examine ways in which art and text shape and question each other. We will look closely at representative ninteenth and twentieth century works, writers, and illustrators from Britian, the United States, Canada, Australia and Africa, and think about how this versatile and dynamic genre might respond to new electronic technology and media. Instruction will include interactive lectures, but this course will be conducted as a seminar and participants will make presentations and respond to those of their colleagues. Prerequisite: one full course equivalent in English at the 400 level or consent of the department.