Trends and Issues in Youth Literature

Course Details

Course Number: 6243 Section Number: 180

Fall 2010

Location: Dillard College of Business Administration

Classroom Number: 121

Days & Times:

T, 5:30 - 8:20 p.m.

Course Attachments

Textbooks

Literature for today's young adults
8th edition by Nilsen & Donelson
ISBN: 978-0205593231

MSU Faculty Member

Dr. Linda K. Lilienthal
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Course Objectives

COURSE OBJECTIVES:	STANDARDS:	ASSESSMENT:
Students will describe the historical development, current trends, and enduring characteristics of children’s and young adult literature.	IRA: 1.3, 2.3, 4.1, 4.2	Class discussions of course readings Group discussions and activities Course assignments
Students will identify and describe the primary genres of children’s and young adult (YA) literature.	IRA: 2.3, 4.2	Class discussions of course readings Group discussions and activities Course assignments
Students will identify significant children’s and YA literature and authors.	IRA: 2.3, 4.1, 4.2	Class discussions of course readings Group discussions and activities Course assignments
Students will develop an appreciation of the range and depth of children’s and young adult literature.	IRA: 2.3, 4.1, 4.2	Class discussions of course readings Group discussions and activities Course assignments
Students will understand, respect, and value cultural, linguistic, and ethnic diversity.	IRA: 1.3, 2.2, 2.3, 3.3, 4.1, 4.2	Class discussions of course readings Group discussions and activities Course assignments
Students will understand how to use children’s and YA literature to stimulate interest and motivation for classroom learning.	IRA: 1.4, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4	Class discussions of course readings Group discussions and activities Course assignments
Students will understand children’s and adolescent psychology, growth and development, sociology, and popular culture as it relates to the successful integration of children’s and young adult literature in the classroom.	IRA: 1.1, 1.3, 1.4, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.3, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3	Class discussions of course readings Group discussions and activities Course assignments
Students will model reading and writing activities as valued lifelong activities.	IRA: 4.3, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3	Class discussions of course readings Group discussions and activities Course assignments
Students will support and preserve notions of intellectual freedom and provide arguments against censorship.	IRA: 2.3, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.1, 5.3	Class discussions of course readings Group discussions and activities Course assignments

Course Expectations

Participation: You cannot participate if you are not in class. Unexcused absences will affect your participation grade. 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 to assist in the development of self-reflective practice. One of the privileges of a community of learners is gaining feedback from others as you learn. Read any assigned course materials, bring your texts and course materials to every class session, and take responsibility for your share of discussion.

Book Award Exploration: Choose a book award from the list in the syllabus. You will each be responsible for a different book award. Research the award and read 5 chapter books or 10 picture books, no older than 1990 publication date, that won the award or were award honor books. You may also use these books for the author paper and presentation, but not for another assignment. Due as assigned.

Prepare a 1-2 page paper about the award. The award paper should be typed or word processed, single-spaced, 12 font, Times New Roman style, following the format handed out in class. Due as assigned.
Prepare a book review for each book you read for this assignment. The reviews should be typed or word processed, single-spaced, 12 font, Times New Roman style, following the format handed out in class. Due as assigned.
Prepare a 15-20 minute class presentation about the award and the books you read. Hand out copies of the award paper (item #1) during your presentation.

BOOK AWARD ASSIGNMENT, LIST OF AWARDS:

Caldecott Award

Coretta Scott King Award

Americas Award for Children’s and Young Adult Literature

Pura Belpre Award

Tomas Rivera Mexican-American Children’s Book Award

Robert F. Sibert Information Book Award

Mildred Batchelder Award

Newbery Award

Carter G. Woodson Book Awards

Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children

Michael L. Printz Award

Edgar Allan Poe Award

Scott O’Dell Historical Fiction Award

Boston Globe-Horn Book Award

Jane Addams Children’s Book Award

Genre Book Critiques and Book Discussions: During the semester, you will choose 5 additional young adult books as assigned, no older than 1990 publication date, representative of 5 different genres to be discussed in class (see the course schedule). You may also use these books for the author paper and presentation, but not for another assignment. You will read each book and prepare a book critique according to the format handed out in class. You will discuss each book and the critique when the class discusses that genre. The critique will be handed in for grading. Due as assigned.

Favorite Author Paper and Power Point Presentation: Choose an author who has made a significant contribution to the field of Young Adult Literature. Include works by this author in the books you read for other assignments. Prepare a one page (two-sided), handout on this author and his/her works and accomplishments in the field. Make enough copies to distribute to all students in the class during your presentation. The handout must be single-spaced, typed or word-processed, at 12 font, using Times New Roman style, like this syllabus. Follow the format handed out in class. List all references, including books you have read. Identify author books that you have read with an asterisk beside the title in the reference list. Prepare a 10-15 minute Power Point presentation about the author, including biographical information and information concerning his/her collective works, to present to the class. Due as assigned.

Trends and Issues Paper and Class Presentation: Select one of the current trends or issues evident in children’s literature. Read 7 journal articles AND 5 chapter books or 10 picture books, no older than 2000 publication date, representative of the trend or issue. You may also use these books for the author paper and presentation, but not for another assignment. 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 or young adult literature. Discuss how each book you have read is indicative of the trend or issue. Give specific examples from each book. Prepare a 5-6 page, typed, double-spaced paper, using 12 font, Times New Roman style. You will prepare a 15-20 minute presentation on your paper, during which you will lead a discussion on the topic. Evaluation criteria will be handed out at a later date. Due as assigned.

Grading Standards

Grades: Grades are determined by weighing the course requirements in the following manner:

Participation in a variety of class and group activities 15%

Book award paper, book review critiques, class presentation 20%

Genre book review critiques and discussions 20%

Favorite author paper and Power Point presentation 20%

Trends and issues paper and class presentation 25%

Grading Scale:

90-100 A

80-89 B

70-79 C

60-69 D

Final Exam12/7/2010 8:00 p.m.

Submission Format Policy

Assignments are to be submitted according to information in the syllabus.

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

All assignments are due as assigned. Late assignments will be accepted only in cases of emergency and on a case by case basis at the professor’s discretion.

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: Attendance and participation are required to obtain a complete understanding of course material. Students are expected to be in attendance, on time for class, and to stay for the entire class. Attendance will be taken at each class session. Students who are more than 10 minutes late to class or who leave class early will be counted absent for the class session. It is your responsibility to make up any missed work. If you miss class, it is your responsibility to obtain notes, class announcements, assignments, and handouts from another student, or the professor, prior to the next scheduled class time. Excused absences will be approved only on a case by case basis.

Other Policies

Cell Phones: Please turn off all communication devices (cell phones) during class. Please use your cell phones on break and not during class.

Syllabus Changes: This syllabus is subject to change. Any changes will be announced in class.

Disability Access: Students with disabilities who believe they may need accommodations in this class are encouraged to contact the MSU Counseling and Disability Office at 940 – 397 – 4618.

Plagiarism Statement: Plagiarism (submitting another person’s work as your own or using another person’s words without giving them proper credit) is academic dishonesty and will be considered grounds for failing this course. “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 for 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.