Trends & Issues in Youth Literature

Course Details

Course Number: READ 6243   Section Number: 100

Fall 2012

Location: Prothro-Yeager Hall

Classroom Number: 209

Days & Times:

5:30 pm-8:20 pm Mondays

Course Attachments

Textbooks
MSU Faculty Member
SuHua Huang   
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Course Objectives

 

Course Overview:

 

Young Adults and Their Reading

Multicultural Literature

A Brief history of Adolescent Literature

Pop Culture, YA Lit, Big Business, and Archetypal Images

Contemporary Realistic Fiction: From Tragedies to Romances

Poetry, Drama, and Humor

Adventure, Sports, Mysteries, and the Supernatural

Fantasy, Science Fiction, Utopias, and Dystopias

History and History Markers: of People and Places

Nonfiction: Information, Literary Nonfiction, Biographies, and Self-Help Books

Evaluating, Promoting, and Using Young Adult Books

Literature in the English Class: Short Stories, Novels, Creative Writing, Film, and Thematic

Units

Censorship: Of Worrying and Wondering

 


Course Expectations

 

ASSIGNMENTS

 

  1. Participation                                                                                                  100 points

 

Merely attending class is not sufficient to earn the class participation credit. You are expected to come to class prepared and ready to actively participate in each class session: ask questions, answer questions, share your knowledge and experiences, and actively participate in whole class and small group discussions and activities. Read any assigned course materials, bring your texts and course materials to every class session, and take responsibility for your share of the discussion. Absence will affect your participation grade. Each absence will lose 10 points for participation.

 

 

  1. Book Award Exploration and Presentation                                               150 points

 

Choose a book that has received an award from the list in the syllabus. You will each be responsible for a different award book. You are required research the award and read three chapter books or 8 picture books which have won the award honor within 10 years.  Prepare a 15-20 minute class presentation about the award and the book you read. Also prepare a one page (double space) paper with a review/critique of each book. The paper and critiques should be typed or word processed, 12 font, Times New Roman style. The format and evaluation criteria are listed on page number 12.  

 

LIST OF AWARDS:

 

Americans Award for Children’s and Young Adult Literature

Boston Globe-Horn Book Award

Caldecott Medal

Coretta Scott King Award

Edgar Allan Poe Award

Hans Christian Andersen Award

International Reading Association Children’s Book Award

Jane Addams Children’s Book Award

Laura Ingalls Wilder Award

Michael L. Printz Award

Mildred Batchelder Award

Newberry Award

Pura Belpre Award

Robert F. Sibert Information Book Award

Tomas Rivera Mexican-American Children’s Book Award

Awards Based on Special Content

Association of Jewish Libraries Award

Carter G. Woodson Book Award

Catholic Book Award

Child Study Children’s Book Committee at Bank Street College Award

Christopher Award

Eva L. Gordon Award for Children’s Science Literature

Ezra Jack Keats Award

Jefferson Cup Award

National Council of Teachers of English Award for Excellence in Poetry for Children

National Jewish Book Award

New York Academy of Sciences Children’s Science Books

Scott O’Dell Historical Fiction Award

Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children

Phoenix Award

Washington Post/ Children’s Book Guild Nonfiction

Western Writers of America Spur Award

 

  1. Genre Book Critiques and Book Discussions                                             150 points

 

 

You will choose 2 additional different genres of young adult books in the following major genres (a) chapter 4: Contemporary Realistic Fiction, (b) chapter 6: Adventure, Sports, Mysteries, and the Supernatural, (c) chapter 7: Fantasy, Science Fiction, Utopias, and Dystopias, (d) Chapter 8: Historical Fiction (any chapter genre division), (e) Chapter 9: Nonfiction (any chapter genre division). You will read each book and prepare one-two pages (Single Space) for each book review critique. You will discuss each book and the critique when the class discusses that genre. You may also use these books for the author paper and presentation, but not for another assignment.  An evaluation criterion is listed on page number 13.

 

  1. Author Study and Presentation                                                                   150 points

 

 

Choose an author who has made a significant contribution to the field of Young Adult Literature. Prepare a 10-15 minute Power Point presentation about the author, including biographical and other information concerning his/her collective works, to present to the class. Also prepare a one page (two-sided) handout about this author‘s works and accomplishments in the field. Make enough copies to distribute to all students in the class. The handout must be single-spaced, typed or word-processed, 12 font, using Times New Roman style. List all references, including books you have read. Identify author books that you have read with an asterisk in the reference. An evaluation criterion is listed on page number 14.

 

 

 

 

  1. Teaching  Multicultural Literature Workshop –Group Project                200 points

 

You are required to select one multicultural book for the young adult level and provide a workshop for the middle grades or middle school level or high school level. Your job is to introduce teachers to ethnically diverse writers and to offer dynamic instructional strategies and resources to make works meaningful for students. This workshop includes a ½ -hour video in which a teacher model’s effective approaches - based on reader response, critical inquiry, cultural studies, and critical pedagogy - for using multicultural literature that can work in the classroom. You also need to present some of your teaching strategies and resources in the class. You need to demonstrate activities and practices that engage students in critical discussions of race, class, and social justice, and empower them to take action for change. The instructor will create a class Blog or WikiSpace for you to upload or extend the video content with your biographies, synopses of the works, information on how to implement the teaching strategies, summaries of the video lessons, student work samples, resource materials, and annotated bibliographies. You also need to create a downloadable guide which includes short works of the literature featured in the workshop, along with discussion questions, activities, and weekly assignments, to engage teachers in professional development and learning experiences. The instructor will provide a multicultural power point presentation that helps you to decide which culture /country you are interested in searching for more in-depth information about its literature.  Evaluation criteria for selecting multicultural books are listed on pages number 15-16.

 

 

 

  1.  Trends and Issues Paper                                                                             250 points

 

 

Select one of the current trends or issues in children’s literature. You are required to Read 10 journal articles and 5 chapter books or 10 picture books representative of the trend or issue. The articles and books should be published within the past 10 years.  Be sure to obtain professor approval of your topic before beginning. Explain the origins of the trend and how it is influencing contemporary children’s literature. Discuss how each book you have read is indicative of the trend or issue. Give specific examples from each book. Submit a 5-6 page, typed double-spaced paper, using 12 font, Times New Roman style. You will also prepare a 20 minute presentation on your paper and lead a discussion on the topic. Evaluation Criteria is listed on page number 17.

 

 

 

Possible Trends or Issues

Increased use of nonfiction trade books at all grade levels

Increased use of children’s picture books at middle and secondary grade levels

Genre trends, such as magical realism

Modern problems or adolescent identity issues

Changing family structures

Cultural diversity, including racial and cultural issues

Gender issues

Discrimination of various types

Characters with disabilities

Others

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Grading Standards

 

Grading

 

            Final grade will be determined by the numbers of points earned through completion of the following assignments:

 

Assignment                                                                Points

Participation                                                                100

Book Award Exploration                                            150

Genre Book Critiques and Book Discussions     150

Author Study                                                                150     

Multicultural Literature Workshop                            200

Trends and Issue Paper                                            250

 

Total                                                                           1000

 

Final point total will be converted to a course grade as follows:

 

 

A= 1000-900     Work that is outstanding and exemplary

B= 899-800       Work that is above the minimum requirements  

C= 799-700       Work that meets expected level of performance for most students   

D= 699-600       Work that falls short of minimum criteria

F= 599 below    Work that falls well below the expected level of performance for most students

 

 

 

 


Final Exam12/10/2012  5:45 -7:45

Submission Format Policy

Hard copy for each assignment.



Note: You may not submit a paper for a grade in this class that already has been (or will be) submitted for a grade in another course, unless you obtain the explicit written permission of me and the other instructor involved in advance.

Late Paper Policy

50 points per day will be deducted for late assignments. Arrangement for exceptional cases must be made at least two days prior to the due date.


Plagiarism Policy Plagiarism is the use of someone else's thoughts, words, ideas, or lines of argument in your own work without appropriate documentation (a parenthetical citation at the end and a listing in "Works Cited")-whether you use that material in a quote, paraphrase, or summary. It is a theft of intellectual property and will not be tolerated, whether intentional or not.

Student Honor Creed

As an MSU Student, I pledge not to lie, cheat, steal, or help anyone else do so."

As students at MSU, we recognize that any great society must be composed of empowered, responsible citizens. We also recognize universities play an important role in helping mold these responsible citizens. We believe students themselves play an important part in developing responsible citizenship by maintaining a community where integrity and honorable character are the norm, not the exception. Thus, We, the Students of Midwestern State University, resolve to uphold the honor of the University by affirming our commitment to complete academic honesty. We resolve not only to be honest but also to hold our peers accountable for complete honesty in all university matters. We consider it dishonest to ask for, give, or receive help in examinations or quizzes, to use any unauthorized material in examinations, or to present, as one's own, work or ideas which are not entirely one's own. We recognize that any instructor has the right to expect that all student work is honest, original work. We accept and acknowledge that responsibility for lying, cheating, stealing, plagiarism, and other forms of academic dishonesty fundamentally rests within each individual student. We expect of ourselves academic integrity, personal professionalism, and ethical character. We appreciate steps taken by University officials to protect the honor of the University against any who would disgrace the MSU student body by violating the spirit of this creed. Written and adopted by the 2002-2003 MSU Student Senate.

Students with Disabilities The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Disability Support Services in Room 168 of the Clark Student Center, 397-4140.

Safe Zones Statement The professor considers this classroom to be a place where you will be treated with respect as a human being - regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, political beliefs, age, or ability. Additionally, diversity of thought is appreciated and encouraged, provided you can agree to disagree. It is the professor's expectation that ALL students consider the classroom a safe environment.

Contacting your Instructor All instructors in the Department have voicemail in their offices and MWSU e-mail addresses. Make sure you add your instructor's phone number and e-mail address to both email and cell phone lists of contacts.

Attendance Requirements

 

Attendance Policy

  1. If you are absent, your grade will be reduced.

1st Absence – No penalty.

2nd Absence – 80 points deducted from your final grade average

3rd Absence – 150 points deducted from your final grade average

More than 3 absences – additional 100 points deducted from your final grade average for each absence beyond the first 3.

 If you have an unexpected medical treatment, car accident or a family emergency, etc, you must turn in a doctor’s note and/or official documents at the time you return to class. It is your responsibility to provide the written documentation to the instructor to avoid the loss of points.

 

 

  1. Punctuality is also expected for all classes. When you arrive 5 minutes after class has started you are considered tardy.  Three tardies will result in a loss of 50 points from your final point total. Five tardies will lose 100 points in your final point total. When you arrive 15 minutes after class has started or leave before it ends you will be counted absent for that class period.

 

  1. Turn cell phone off during class time. No texting is allowed.   Texting is very distracting in the class. Do not do it!! Please turn off all communication devices (e.g. cell phones) during class. Be considerate of others and do not take calls or text messages during class because it interrupts the learning process of other students. Please use your cell phones on break and not during class.

 

 


Other Policies

 

Americans with Disabilities Acts

 

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-Discrimination law that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Students with a disability must be registered with Disability Support Services before classroom accommodation can be provided. If you have a documented disability that will impact your work in this class, please contact me to discuss your needs.

 

Academic Honesty

 

Honesty is a fundamental precept in all academic activities, and those privileged to be members of a university community have a special obligation to observe the highest standards of honesty and a right to expect the same standards of all others. Academic misconduct in any form is inimical to the purposes and functions of the university and therefore is unacceptable and rigorously proscribed. Academic dishonesty may result in a failing grade for the semester and will be reported to the appropriate authorities within the College. This policy applies to the issue of plagiarism, in particular. It is critical that you cite your sources and give people the credit they deserve.

 

Plagiarism Statement

 

“By enrolling in this course, the student expressly grants MSU a ‘limited right’ in all intellectual property created by the student for the purpose of this course. The ‘limited right’ shall include but shall not be limited to the right to reproduce the student’s work product in order to verify originality, authenticity, and educational purposes.” (Student Handbook)

 

 

 


Writing Proficiency Requirement All students seeking a Bachelor's degree from Midwestern State University must satisfy a writing proficiency requirement once they've 1) passed English 1113 and English 1123 and 2) earned 60 hours. You may meet this requirement by passing either the Writing Proficiency Exam or English 2113. Please keep in mind that, once you've earned over 90 hours, you lose the opportunity to take the $25 exam and have no option but to enroll in the three-credit hour course. If you have any questions about the exam, visit the Writing Proficiency Office website at http://academics.mwsu.edu/wpr, or call 397-4131.