LIS 514
Spring 2006
Emmalee Hoover
Twenhofel Middle School
11846 Taylor Mill Road
Independence, KY 41051
E-mail: ehoover@kenton.k12.ky.us
Office Hours: by appointment
Office Phone: 859.356.5559.
Office Fax: 859.356.1137
Course Number: LIS 514 Credit Hours: 3
Title: Literature and Related Media for Young Adults
Catalog Description: A study of literature and related materials for use with young people in grades 7-12. Emphasis is placed on the special characteristics and needs of young people and the evaluation of materials for this age group.
Text (Recommended): Nilsen, Alleen Pace and Kenneth L. Donelson. Literature for Today’s Young Adults. 7th ed. New York: Pearson.
Course Objectives:
Upon completion of the course the students will be able to:
1. Identify the basic needs, interests and problems of young adults in grades seven through twelve.
2. Select and evaluate books and related media for young adults using appropriate criteria.
3. Identify authors and illustrators of young adult literature.
4. Describe the historical development of young adult literature.
5. Present books and materials in a manner that will motivate students to form a life-long habit of reading and inquiry.
6. Research a current topic, author or issue related to young adult literature.
7. Evaluate and discuss the use of multicultural literature for young adults.
8. Identify and evaluate reference materials used by young adults.
Content Outline:
A. Introduction to Young Adult Literature
B. Understanding the Young Adult
C. Characteristics of the Best Young Adult Literature
D. Realism
E. Romance
F. Excitement and Suspense
G. Fantasy and Science Fiction
H. Historical Fiction and Biographies
I. Non-Fiction
J. Poetry
K. Short Stories
L. Drama
M. Multicultural Literature
N. Graphic Novels
O. Evaluating, Promoting and Using Young Adult Literature
P. Young Adult Literature in Core Content
Q. Censorship
R. History of Adolescent Literature
Instructional Activities:
Instructional activities will include literature response groups, lectures, discussions, demonstrations, cooperative learning experiences, guest speaker(s), and two examinations.
Resources:
Resources will include young adolescent books and other related materials such as videos, CD-ROM software and the Internet. The following books will be used by all students: The Giver by Lois Lowry; The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier; Monster by Walter Dean Myers, one of these graphic novels: Maus by Art Spiegelman or The Last Knight by Will Eisner, and one book by a Kentucky author [Sex Education by Jennie Davis, Perfect Family by Jerrie Oughton or Clay’s Quilt by Silas House].
Grading Procedures:
Points are awarded for performance on assignments. Work turned in late will be penalized. Excessive absences or tardies will result in a lower grade.
Assignment Points
#1 Interview Paper 15
#2 Annotated Bibliography 20
w/Booktalk 10
#3 Mid-Term Exam 20
#4 Topic or Issue Paper 30 (written)
5 (presentation)
#5 Reading Project 50
#6 Final Exam 30
#7 Class Participation 20
Total 200
Graduate Students
185-200 = A 170-184 = B 150-169 = C
Attendance Policy:
This class includes much class participation; therefore, regular attendance is expected. If you miss class, it is your responsibility to see the instructor about making up the missed work. Points will be deducted for unexcused absences.
Prerequisites: None
Academic Honesty Policy:
The instructor will assign a grade of E for the course to any student found guilty of cheating or plagiarism on an examination or a class assignment. Unless formally approved by the instructor of this class, a student may not use academic work completed for another class (e.g., a paper, etc.) to satisfy the academic requirements of this class. As defined by the University Senate Rules (6.3.2), a student’s use of previous class work to satisfy the academic requirements of this class is a form of academic cheating. For details regarding cheating and plagiarism please refer to Section 6.4.0-1 of the Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook (http://www.uky.edu/StudentAffairs/Code/) and Section 6.3 of the University Senate Rules (http://www.uky.edu/USC/Section VI.pdf) for details.
Assignment #1 - Interview Paper
Objective: The student will understand the basic needs, interests and problems of young adults in grades seven through twelve.
Activity: Complete this activity after we have discussed in class the characteristics, needs and interests of young adults.
§ Create a list of questions (approximately 12-15) to ask young adults to help you understand their needs, interests and problems. We will discuss some possible questions in class.
§ Interview three young adults. Try to select a variety of age levels and gender differences.
§ Write a typed, double-spaced paper (approximately 3-5 pages) in which you discuss the interviews, including a summary of the interviews and your evaluation of the interview response. You may choose to include a table to help you make comparisons of responses. This assignment can be written in first person.
Evaluation: This assignment will be graded on completeness, clarity, neatness, organization, spelling and grammar. Be sure to include a complete discussion of your evaluation of the responses -- not just a summary.
Assignment #2 – Annotated Bibliography w/Booktalk
Objectives: The student will select materials appropriate for young adults. The student will demonstrate a method to stimulate young adults to read books and/or use related media.
Activity: In class we will discuss some ways to select materials and to encourage the use of young adult materials. However, you will do this activity outside the class. (Make sure you refer to a variety of review sources.) We will discuss types of booktalks in class. Select one book from the bibliography to booktalk to the class. See the Bibliography resource sheet for more specific information.
§ The bibliography should cite the review sources consulted.
§ Use at least one appropriate graphic that exemplifies the material in the bibliography.
§ Discuss (in one paragraph) how to promote the books/media in the bibliography.
§ Using the guidelines from readings, prepare an original booktalk.
§ Present a 3-5 minute booktalk in class.
Evaluation: See Bibliography Rubric. The booktalk will be evaluated on the following points: appropriateness of selection(s), clarity of presentation, adherence to booktalk guidelines, eye contact and proper grammar.
Assignment # 3 - Mid-Term Exam
The student will complete an essay exam.
Assignment #4 - Topic or Issue Paper/ Author Paper
Objective: The student will research and present via e-mail to the professor a current topic or issue related to young adult literature. This will be sent out as a group e-mail.
Activity: We will discuss some possible topics in class.
§ After you have decided on a topic, sign up on the sheet that will be provided (or e-mail the instructor). Do not sign up for a topic that another student is researching. Student-selected topics will be posted in the group e-mail.
§ Graduates: Write a 5-7 page double-spaced, typewritten paper on the topic or issue.
All papers must include a bibliography of at least four sources that you consulted. At least two of the sources must be in print format. Give proper credit to any quotes or significant ideas that you use in your paper. Use one of the following style forms for your paper: APA, Chicago, or MLA.
§ Present an overview of your topic in e-mail to the professor, to be group e-mailed. Do not post your paper. You do not need to include all the information in the paper in the e-mail presentation. Summarize key points and tell the class what you learned. Be prepared to answer questions.
Evaluation: The evaluation of the written assignment will be based on the appropriateness of the topic for the course content, evidence of investigation about the issue, topic or author, organized synthesis of the information, well-stated conclusions, completeness, and proper use of style format, grammar and spelling. The “oral” presentation will be graded on clarity and grammar.
Assignment #5 - Reading Project
Objective: The student will be able to select and evaluate books and related materials for young adults, according to appropriate criteria.
Activity: We will discuss selection and criteria in class.
§ Keep a record of your reading including all of the following items: title, author, publisher (book) or producer (media), copyright date, genre, approximate age span, a brief summary, personal responses, and an evaluation. You may add additional items, such as theme or page numbers of a book. Your records should be kept on index cards (at least 4 x 6) or in a database. If the records are kept on cards, they can be handwritten in ink, but they must be neat and legible.
§ Organize your cards in some appropriate manner (alphabetized by author or title, divided into genres, etc.). Place the printed database records in a folder; place a rubber band around the cards. Be sure to include your name, the course title, and date (cover sheet or initial card).
Evaluation: This assignment will be graded on appropriateness of selections, record completeness, organization, grammar and spelling.
Assignment #6 – Final Exam
Objective: The student will demonstrate knowledge regarding historical development of young adult literature and/or other topics relating to adolescent literature.
Activity: Students will respond to essay questions during the final examination period.
§ You will respond to one question dealing with the history of adolescent literature. You will be able to choose other essay questions from a list of several questions.
Evaluation: The final examination will be evaluated on completeness and accuracy.
Assignment #7 - Class Participation
Objective: The student will evaluate books and related media for young adults according to appropriate criteria.
Activity: You will participate in discussion groups and literature response groups for this assignment.
§ Bring to class with you the book that you have read and that you will be discussing and evaluating.
§ Bring to class a completed record of the book, including an evaluation.
§ In your literature response group, share a short summary of the book, your personal response to the book, and your evaluation of the book (according to the appropriate criteria).
§ Contribute to any cooperative group activities that are assigned.
Evaluation: For this assignment you will be evaluated on the following: the presence of your book and completed records and your active participation in the group (listening to others is as important as speaking!). Absences from class will result in a lower grade in this category. Any more than two absences during the session will lower your grade, unless the absence is excused. See the instructor for excused absences and how they need to be documented or made up.
Projected Schedule:
January 17
Orientation (Introductions; Syllabus, e-mail) Chapter 1 “Young Adults and Their Reading”. Read Chocolate War for later discussion. #1 assignment Interview Paper discussion.
January 24
Chapter 2 “A Brief History of Adolescent Literature”; Chapter 3 “Pop Culture, YA Lit, Big Business, and Archetypal Images”. Discussion of YA Media for reading project, # 5.
Chapter 4 “Contemporary Realistic Fiction”; Literature Response Groups (Bring to class a realistic fiction book and a completed record for the book); Discuss The Chocolate War; Assignment #1 Interview Paper due. Read The Giver for later discussion. Discussion Bibliography with Booktalk, # 2.
February 14
Chapter 7 “Fantasy, Science-Fiction, Utopias, and Dystopias”; Literature Response Groups Bring to class a fantasy or science fiction book and a completed record for the book.
Discussion of The Giver.
Chapter 12 “Censorship” (speaker) Assignment #2 Bibliography due. The bibliography will be submitted to e-mail and distributed to the group e-mail for class members.
February 28
Assignment #3 Mid-term
March 7
Chapter 8 “History and History Makers”; Literature Response Groups (Bring to class an historical book, or an autobiography, or a biography and a completed record for the book); Multicultural literature. Read one assigned graphic novel. Discussion of Monster.
March 14 Spring Break, no class
March 21
Booktalk portion of Assignment #2 will be presented.
March 28 (Internet delivery)
Guest Speaker, Melissa Gardner
Chapter 10 “Evaluating, Promoting, and Using Young Adult Books”; KYVL overview. Review literature promotion in course materials folder.
Continue booktalks. Read one KY author book for later discussion.
April 11
Assignment #4 Topic or Author Paper due; presentations of papers to the class via e-mail and distributed to group e-mail. Graphic novel discussion.
April 18
Chapter 9 “Nonfiction”; Literature Response Groups (Read two non-fiction books and bring completed records for the books to class). Kentucky Author’s discussion.
Assignment #5 Reading Project due
Chapter 11 “Literature in the English Class”; writing portfolios, core content
May 2
Assignment #6 Final Exam.
** Note: In addition to booklists distributed in class and via e-mail, you may select books to read from the lists on pages 16-27 of the textbook or from the books listed within the individual chapters.
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