Fairy Tales Across Borders (MODL20029), Spring 2025

One of the assessments for the unit asked students to work in a group of 3-4 students and write a fairy tale based on an existing motif (say Cinderella or Little Red Riding Hood) in a way that addresses contemporary issues. Their story should incorporate research on this motif and adhere to some of the basic conventions of fairy tales, including style of writing. At the same time, their story should aim to convey some socio-political message through the constellation of characters, events, and circumstances it relates. This was then followed by an individual reflective essay, in which students had to account for the way their worked together, their contribution to the project, and the meanings they embedded in their fairy tale. The other assessment was a traditional academic essay. 

Two examples of the wonderful stories students created are shared below:

Wolf Mother Fairy Tale (PDF, 125kB)

The Story of a Royally Overgrown Tadpole (PDF, 98kB)

Please be aware of a content warning: both fairy tales include violence.