The seminar will present the idea and the emergence of ​​the domestic Sphere as a central theme, from its beginning in the second half of the nineteenth century till the twenty first century. The seminar will examine case studies from the world of visual culture, specifically from children's literature's illustrations as well as animated cinema (such as Disney). In that sense, the course will not explore children's literature as a studied field per-se, but rather explore issues such as human relations within the immediate environment.

By analyzing the visual images (illustrations) accompanying the text, we will examine the changes in representations of the idea of 'home' and its surroundings, which function as an extension of the private Sphere. Special attention will be given to the practices, activities and personal objects that characterize the domestic daily life, and identified with the resident living in the interior. In addition, we will discuss the personal relationships existing within the private sphere. Therefore, we shell also examine emotional and mental values linking the individual to his immediate environment, such as family, familiarity, intimacy, love, comfort and ease, all considered to be identified with the 'home' as an appropriate arena.

The seminar will present an interdisciplinary approach which incorporate theories from the fields of gender criticism, psychoanalysis and history and theory of the domestic sphere.