Description

This course will expose students to quality adolescent literature currently available for reading in most middle and high school libraries. It will examine issues relevant to the reading and teaching of adolescent literature, among them current debates about the appropriateness of adolescent literature in a rigorous secondary curriculum; issues related to censorship, various approaches to reading, issues of multiculturalism and diverse audiences, the relationship of the adolescent novel to the “classic” novels commonly taught in secondary education, and the role of adolescent literature in the balanced classroom.
 * *Course Description: **

The goals of this course parallel the goals of the Teacher Education Program. Through course work, reading, discussion, dialogue, simulations, and lectures, the student will be given the opportunity to become a reflective innovator serving communities with head, heart, and hands. To this end, this course has been designed to provide opportunities to develop: 1. a passion for and commitment to learners and their learning. 2. agility and creativity in teaching based on knowledge of academic subjects. 3. responsibility in managing and monitoring student development and learning. 4. self-reliance and collegiality within the teaching profession.
 * General Course Goals: **

Students who have successfully completed the course will be able to:
 * *Course Objectives: **
 * 1) Demonstrate an understanding of the components of quality adolescent literature.
 * 2) Demonstrate an understanding of the historical, social and cultural role of adolescent literature.
 * 3) Demonstrate the ability to identify and describe various genres of literature as well as noted authors. This will include an understanding of notable and award-winning books for adolescents.
 * 4) Demonstrate an understanding of the issues and concerns involved in matching students to appropriate literature with respect to cultural diversity, students’ interest, attitudes, and abilities.
 * 5) Demonstrate the ability to select age appropriate children’s literature for integration with the NC Standard Course of Study.
 * 6) Demonstrate an understanding of the issues and concerns related to censorship as they pertain to the educational environment.
 * 7) Demonstrate the ability to present an adolescent novel in a way that motivates readers and enriches and extends the curriculum.
 * 8) Describe the historical development of the adolescent literature genre.
 * 9) Identify and discuss current debates about adolescent literature.
 * 10) Understand the current reading interests of adolescents and plan to accommodate them.
 * 11) Identify, select, and discuss a broad range of adolescent/YA texts representing a variety of time periods, diverse cultures, and types of authors.
 * 12) Apply current critical theory, discussion strategies, and reading strategies to the reading and teaching of adolescent/YA texts.


 * Modified with permission from Dr. Annette Wannamaker (awannamak@emich.edu)


 * Class Expectations: **
 * Attendance**: Students are expected to attend all class meetings and to arrive on time. Three late arrivals will be considered an absence. More than two absences during the second half of the semester will result in a reduction of five points per absence in the overall grade. It is the responsibility of the student to obtain copies of notes or handouts distributed during a class. Notes and handouts will be available on the class wiki space.


 * Assignments:** Assignments must be submitted on the day they are due. Electronic submissions must be submitted (by email to the instructor or posted to the wiki) no later than 4:30 on the due date. Assignments turned in after the due date will result in a reduction of 10% of the total point value. Class participation points cannot be made up in case of absence. Journals and annotations can be turned in for review, but will receive no credit if not turned in by the due date. Quizzes can be made up in case of absence. No assignment will be accepted more than one class period late.


 * Academic Dishonesty:** Students are required to maintain academic honesty as described in the student handbook. A violation of academic honesty may result in a failing grade for the course.


 * Special Needs:** In the case of specific individual learning needs, students may be referred to or self-refer to the writing center or academic support services. In the case of a documented learning disability, it is the responsibility of the student to inform the instructor of specific needs during the first week of the course. Reasonable accommodations will be made to meet individual needs. To request academic accommodations due to a disability, please contact Deboarah Braden, Educational Access Coordinator at ext. 3791 or dbraden@warren-wilson.edu. The office is located in Dodge House, lower level.


 * Student Disposition:** Please come to class ready to read, discuss, and participate in widening your understanding of adolescent literature. Cell phones should be silenced and out of sight upon entering class.

Most books will take us a week to discuss. I expect you to have the first half of the book read for the Monday class and the second half for the Wednesday class (as specifically indicated on the course calendar). Quizzes will be given on the first half of the reading and the second half, as necessary. You will need to have read the entire text of //The Outsiders// for our first meeting on March 23rd. I realize that ten texts is a lot, but I don’t expect you to purchase them, especially new. Most of these books are available at local branch libraries, many with multiple copies. If you do decide to purchase them, you need to plan ahead to find these at local used book stores or used on Amazon or Barnes and Noble. If you are having difficulty finding the texts, please let me know well in advance so I can help you. me know well in advance so I can help you.
 * Note on Reading Quizzes: **
 * Note about obtaining texts: **